Shouts to Complex for the support.

The reign of the Harlem Diplomats is without a doubt one of the most influential periods in modern hip-hop. The movement that officially started with family features on Camron’s ‘S.D.E.’ album turned into one of New York City’s most powerful crews. Dipset created a sound that transcended the borders of east coast rap with a style that fueled urban culture for the better half of the 2000s. Killa Cam’s unapologetic uptown crew, Jim Jones, Freaky Zeeky and Juelz Santana, evolved to be leaders in their own rights commanding offshoot rap groups while still reppin’ the eagle and still screaming Harlem.

To celebrate the legacy of the Diplomats, we put together a comprehensive mix spanning years of bandana wearing and flag waving. While there is no possible way to include every significant offering of their vast catalogue, we believe we compiled some of Dipset’s best music in this 100+ minute homage.

Enjoy

DIPSET DIPSET DIPSET DIPSET

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Tracklist

1 – Harlem Radio
2 – Dipset Butcher’s Blade Intro
3 – The Diplomats – I Really Mean It
4 – Juelz Santana – Okay Okay
5 – Jim Jones feat. Camron – Certified Gangsters
6 – Juelz Santana – Clockwork
7 – Camron – Wet Wipes
8 – Jim Jones feat. Max B – G’z Up
9 - ”Know a lot of beats, but I say no names” pt.1
10 – The Diplomats – Dipset Anthem
11 – Camron – Back By Popular Demand
12 – 40 Cal – Paid In Full
13 – Juelz Santana – Broken Language
14 – Vado – Large on the Streets
15 – Camron Juan Epstein interlude

16 – Camron feat. Juelz Santana & Jim Jones – Come Home With Me
17 – The Diplomats – I am Ready
18 – Camron – Killa Cam
19 – Jay Bezel Freestyle
20 – Freaky Zeeky Phone Call
21- Camron feat. Kanye West – Down and Out
22 – Byrd Gang – Purple City Byrd Gang
23 – Camron Press Conference interlude
24 – Camron feat. Jim Jones – Hate me Now
25 – Camron – Get’em Girls
26 – Camron – Show You How to Do This
27 – Juelz Santana – S.A.N.T.A.N.A
28 – The Diplomats – Bout it Bout it
29 – Camron Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito WKCR Freestyle
30 – Camron – Oh Boy
31 – The Diplomats – Crunk Musik
32 – Juelz Santana – Dipset (Santana’s Town)
33 – Camron feat. Jim Jones & Juelz Santana – More Gangsta Music
34 – The Diplomats – Salute
35 – Juelz Santana – Oh Yes
36 – Camron Feat. Jay Z – Welcome to New York City
37 – “Know a lot of beats, but I say no names” pt.2
38 – Jim Jones – Fly High
39 – JR Writer – Get’em
40 – Hell Rell Freestyle
41 – Juelz Santana – Mic Check
42 – Jim Jones – Baby Girl
43 – You Maaaaad interlude
44 – Camron feat Juelz Santana - Hey Ma
45 – Camron – That’s Me

Let me start by saying that it’s easy to “like” something when millions support it. So yeah, you like the Wu currently, of course you do. In the beginning it was a journey to understand the madness.

I first was put onto the Wu-Tang Clan in 9th grade — around 1992. I first heard Protect Ya Neck off a local DJ’s white label (independently pressed record usually identified by it’s plain white label) he bought while in NYC. At first listen it was an organized mess with a chaotic sonic backdrop that served as a no topic free-for-all with each clan member sounding like they had separate points to prove. What was the point? I wasn’t sure at first but that became the point. Members had distinct personalities that were revealed in their rhyme style, tone, temperament and voice. Someone like GZA maintained a monotone chokehold on a track without raising his energy level above a Central Park chess match while Method Man was jumping out of his seat during his verse.

Everyone had a different preferred swordsman but no one can deny that the Ol’ Dirty Bastard commanded attention. Meth said that there wasn’t a paternal claim to Dirt’s rhyme style, hence the moniker, which was evident by his freestyle like rants that were only held together by his charisma. Did he always make sense? No. Did he stick out like a sore thumb during posse cuts? Hell yeah. But that’s what made him special. He was a bastard.

It made perfect sense for Method Man’s ‘Tical’ to be the first out the gate after the Clan’s grand entrance. Next up was Ol’ Dirty with his debut ‘Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ that was launched on the back of the broken piano loop’d single Brooklyn Zoo. The album felt as if the Rza understood that Dirt had to run lawless to get the best out of him but figured a way to filter the madness into a focused effort – his only focused effort. The album featured most of the clan and some affiliates and was truly a glimpse into the psyche of the drunken master.

What made Dirty special is what ultimately made him self-destruct. His genius was often over shadowed by a history of alcohol and drug abuse that helped him create a rap sheet as long as the list of Wu-affiliates. Over a dozen kids with multiple women, crashing the stage at the Grammys and coming to the aid of a little girl trapped after a car crash are some of the things highlighted in his legacy. Let’s not forget the most important factoids – he is one of the founding fathers of arguably the most important group in hip-hop history and his debut album is nothing short of a classic.

16 years after it’s release, ‘Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ will be re-released with commemorative limited edition packaging celebrating one of the brightest figures to ever grace rap music. Ol’ Dirty wasn’t just the clan’s resident live wire but was truly a one in a lifetime character who captured the attention of the world, one rant and incident at a time.

The album with extra goodies, including the infamous food stamp card featured on the original album art, will be released on Get On Down Records distributed by Traffic Entertainment on November 22nd.

Russell Jones | Rest In Peace

Not every interest from your youth survives the journey to maturity. From fashion to music—some things are best left on the battlefield. Other things continue to feel current and timeless no matter when you revisit.

My earliest personal memory of the Timberland 6” wheat boot is around 1993. I remember a conversation between 2 older kids with one scolding the other for wearing the “no padding” basic boot version.

“Come on son! No padding? That’s wack!”

I quickly realized that what seemed to be a subtle difference to the uninformed was an unforgivable half step. Half in the way that if you made the effort to purchase a pair of “Timbs” but didn’t know enough to choose the appropriate version, you should have just stayed away. It made you worse off.

For me, the meaning behind wearing the 10061 has varied over the years but the root of it was having “cool” footwear that could be worn (and beat to death) everyday without the adolescent stigma of not having multiple kicks on deck. It was a sign of being above the sneaker rat race.

Growing up on hip-hop music and culture had a tremendous influence on what I wore as a teen. As normal as wearing a pair of boots designed for construction work might be today, reappropriation of “work wear” was still new. My dad was a foreman in an excavation company and actually worked in what I was attempting to apply to my lifestyle. An alien concept to most—especially Pop who wished he didn’t have to work a back breaking job that required such attire. He couldn’t say anything to the kid who was entranced by the sounds of Black Moon and their Brooklyn boot-wearing cohorts. Buck Em’ Down.

Nearly 20 years after overhearing the “padding” argument, I’m still a faithful wearer of the most classic boot design ever. It’s still rooted in being above the sneaker rat race and not fully accepting the fashion parameters set by my industry. Do I indulge? Yes. Am I known for sneakers? Yes – even more the reason to rock a fresh pair of “yellows” on a regular basis.

My name is @FrankTheButcher and I rock #Timbs.

Photo by: Evan Tetreault

Shouts to Complex’s Russ and Joe.

See feature HERE

Taken from the Archive 1887 site:

Archive 1887 is a brand built on over 120 years of music. The inaugural season consists of t-shirts created from a rich collection of images and artwork of some of the most culturally relevant Artists. The Private Collection from which most of the source material was pulled has material that dates back to 1887 and is arguably one of the most comprehensive music collections in the world. Exclusive access to historic behind-the-scenes photos by music’s legendary photographers like Jim Marshall and Mick Rock, combined with amazing album artwork, posters, ticket stubs and other relics; Archive 1887 has created a line of wearable pieces of history which embody the vibe and spirit of the time.

Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t raised by wolves.

I didn’t have a picture perfect childhood but it made me the man I am today. My parents were divorced before I hit 3rd grade but my father did his best to be a constant figure in my life. Living in a neighborhood that was almost “dadless”, my friends were always interested in being around him when he came through. In 9th grade I moved in with him and so began my journey into manhood. His moral standards were always high– a very “do right” kind of guy and I believe I have a lot of that in me. His health is his top priority and at 51 looks almost too young to be my dad.

Avid reader, fitness freak, martial artist, ex marine, father and grandfather.

Life is not always easy but he has taught me that you have to stick it out.

I haven’t always been the ideal son but I can say my dad has done more than his part.

Here’s to you Pop.

Sometimes that bond made through music is more personal than a relationship with someone you knew. My life story is no more tragic than the next person from my area. A youth filled with parents divorce, city life, running the street, moving constantly, lost some friends to the pen and the other side. Music was truly my “safe place”. Mom and dad arguing was drowned out by EPMD and Gangstarr. That’s it. I could plug to a lie director test on that.

Gangstarr was and is everything to me. Guru’s voice was the reasoning of a person that was college educated, street smart and had knowledge of self— all that came through the music. It was what I gravitated to during a period where things weren’t great.

Hearing Guru passed away and the circumstances behind it truly made me sad.

He will live on in his music and through the legacy he left behind with his art.

Maybe my brother Franco will bump into him up there—

Rest in paradise.

Keith Elam (July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010)

Mitchell and Ness has partnered with Japan’s FAMES on a Run DMC branded fitted cap. The cap features the legendary (and constantly bitten) Run DMC logo in raised embroidery.

Classic and a must have for any hip-hop head.

I got mine. “Why you bugginnnnn?”

Big shouts to my man Vic over at M&N. Peep his site here.

Rest in peace JMJ.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan

One of the greatest athletes in human history and considered THE greatest basketball player of all time.

Michael Jordan is now more recognized as a brand and logo than the global sports icon that he is. Sometimes it’s hard to filter through the sneaker re-re-re-releases in fashion colors, and failed attempts at lifestyle clothing to match, to just remember what he was (and is) in it’s purest form – simply AMAZING. MJ’s super-human ability to do with the roundball things that all others couldn’t is what made the product associated with his likeness invaluable. What he did last week against the person that was cursed with the job of guarding him made this week’s shoe drop that much more special.

Obviously that is now not the case.

I live and work in a world where I understand the value of branding and marketing. The art of presenting information and creating energy to surround a particular product (in my case) to make it attractive, interesting, valuable, irresistible and worth your hard earned nickel.

Sometimes the art of selling clouds the truth. Michael Jordan was the best. The product with his name on it (was) the best.  Plain and simple.

Mitchell & Ness presents the 25th anniversary of Jordan’s 1985 All-Star jersey,  which is quite possibly the illest jersey of all time. No fashion colors, not a hybrid of 2 classic jerseys or any other non-original modifications.

Straight up – no chaser and simply AMAZING.

300 made.