The Diplomats

Since their sprawling debut, Cam'ron worked his Diplomats crew hard through numerous mixtapes, both as a unit and solo, with features for Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and J.R. Writer. Maybe that's why Diplomatic Immunity 2 is so much tighter than the first edition, but dropping the two-disc format in favor of just one helps more than a little. Adding to it is the crew's move from Roc-a-fella to Koch -- felt out by Jim Jones' signing to the label -- since Koch seems to be very hands-off, leaving the Diplos and leader Cam'ron with plenty of freedom. Cam'ron gives the opening "Stop-n-Go" a full six minutes to really flow, a proclamation that this is an album that won't be tamed. Juelz Santana is evolving into a thrilling MC who's more an exciting host than a lyrically gifted one. He's fine playing this role on his boastful "S.A.N.T.A.N.A." and is supported by lively, inspired production -- something that graces the whole album. It's raw, with a meter-peaking mixtape feel and plenty of crafty samples. Producer Stay Gettin' lays a hectic tornado of drums on "Get Use to This" while an Exorcist-styled piano kicks 40 Cal's already infectious theme song to a new level. Copping Tears for Fears for "So Free" is thrilling and kicks off the album's exciting fourth quarter. The busy interpolation of "Push It" gives lyric lovers plenty to scribble down, and the closing "Crunk Muzik" should have every hip-hop head yearning for more -- not something you could say about the first Diplomatic Immunity. Light years ahead of its predecessor, Diplomatic Immunity 2 justifies Cam'ron's crew while giving his fans a proper, jeep-worthy mixtape. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide