What Dipset Taught Us About Romance

Lessons in love from Cam and friends.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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It is not a coincidence that both marriage and Dipset are forever.

Though the Harlem group is lauded for its world-changing contributions to music and fashion, Dipset is far more than that. The distinguished members are the reason so many of us have been able to find, or even have a chance at finding, love. Whether you knew it or not, all those years spent listening to Killa Cam & Co. instilled several fundamental ideas about romance in your psyche. Amidst the (no) homonym rhymes and braggadocio are #KNOWLEDGEDARTS that put Chey B and Iyanla Vanzant to shame.

Even if you can't afford to keep your mother and girl smothered in pearls year-round or even on February 14th, you can take stock of your current situation and see what you can improve about yourself; this will benefit your current or future relationship more than any amount jewelry or chocolates from a mall kiosk could ever do.

Thankfully, Complex Magazine exists and has created this list dedicated to What Dipset Taught Us About Romance. Let it be there to help turn every day in your relationship into Valentine's Day. If you want a relationship like Cam'ron and Juju's then take heed and thrive. You don't have to thank us, but in nine months, when your baby is born, we wouldn't mind if you paid homage by giving that child the middle name "ComplexMag.com/Music/Dipset."

Written by Justin Roberson (@BauceSauce)

Give Her Your Attention

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Lyric: "Santana's so focused on you/Come holler at a boy that's focused on you/Shorty, I ain't trying to give you the run around/I'm just trying to come get you and run around." - Juelz Santana
Song: "My Love"

Occassionally, we forget how important our significant others are. The world does its best to present a mélange of distractions (jobs, school, Complex lists, Twitter, etc.) that vie for a portion of our deficient attention spans. Mr. Human Crack in the Flesh lets his possible boo know that he won't forsake her, even if he has 10+ new interactions on Twitter that he needs to read. Playing games is for losers. Neglecting your bae is for fuckboys. Grow up.

Juelz, ever the feminist, also taught us that it's totally chill for a woman to pursue a man and holler first. Wow. Girls. They can do all the things guys can do! Who knew?

Never Hit a Woman

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Lyric: "See you beat your girl/You need to free your girl/Let her breathe, B, go see the world/Wanna lock her down like she on punishment." - Cam'ron
Song: "Hey Ma Remix"

Being a controlling jackass is not a good look, and hitting a woman is an excellent way to display to the world that you are a cowardly piece of shit. Though it would appear to be self-evident to not do these things, Cam'ron removes all doubt by explicitly condemning this behavior. Then, Cam'ron suggests letting your lady have all the freedom she wants and also taking her on exotic vacations. Simple enough.

Don't Be Afraid to Express Your Love

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Lyric: "This is for my baby, our love is pricless/So I had to write this; I hope she like this/Know she will but I sure ain't psychic/Know this love is real, got a right to wife it." - 40 Cal
Song: "Heatin' Up"

The thought of telling someone how you feel about them can be frightening, but 40 Cal taught us to not fear our feelings. Even if you've grossly miscalculated their reciprocated feelings, it's not fair to your mental health to keep those feelings hidden. You'll spend the rest of your years wondering what could've been, and accidentally double-tapping one of their IG photos from 146 weeks ago at 3 a.m. Let your heart sincerely sing that special person's praises. What's the worst that could happen?

Be Faithful

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Lyric: "My cousin Tandalee see the girl type ornery/But her girlfriend was real real real fond of me/And the girl put her on to me and I'm like 'Why?'/I mean come through with her she driving that Lumina/I'm not even thinkin bout screwin her, Let alone pursuing her/I got a girl, She like 'What that got to do with her?'" - Cam'ron
Song: "What Means the World to You"

A phenomenon exists whereby one becomes more desirable if they are booed up. It is called "The Mike Jones Cuff Principle." Back then they didn't want you, now that you're hot they all on you. Cam'ron doesn't care that this particular female is pursuing him or that she drives a sweet ass Lumina. He even lets her know that he has a girlfriend, which she doesn't care about. Ultimately though, Cam'ron lets his intentions known that he is perfectly happy with his current woman. Don't go roaming for trim. That's not the Cameron Giles way.

Bonus points if you find a significant other that will shoot someone for messing with you.

Strive for Honesty

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Lyric: "Like, damn, not trying to be pushy or nothing/But since the strip joint girl I should have been fucking." - Jim Jones
Song: "Summer Wit' Miami"

Honest dialogue is key. When one party in a relationship feels that their needs are being neglected, it creates tension. That tension can destroy the very foundation you two took hours or years to create. Jim Jones taught us to be honest.

If you feel like since the strip joint you should've been fucking, then you must communicate that. If you feel like since the bowling alley you should've been fucking, then you must express that. If you feel like since the 11 a.m. contemporary church service you should've been fucking, don't keep that bottled up!

Be a Gentleman Above All Else

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Lyric: "And I know what ladies like/Need a man that's polite, listens and takes advice/I could be all three, plus I can lay the pipe." - Juelz Santana
Song: "Hey Ma"

My father never showed me how to be a real man, but Juelz Santana did. For that, I am forever grateful. These qualities are the holy trinity of being chose-worthy.

PS: "Plus, I can lay the pipe" is a double entendre for being a good handyman and possessing a proper dick game. Having a proper dick game cannot be overstated. If your dick game is sub par then do as Problem and Iamsu! suggest and "Step your dick game up." Practice on a folded up pillow. Watch some YouTube instructional videos. Check out some books from the library. Do whatever it is you can to step your dick game up. Too often, lady loins around the world go unsatisfied. Together, we can stop this epidemic.

Sexual Experimentation Can Be Exciting

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Lyric: "Next minute she'll want me to role play on her ass/Like JR, come role play with me fast/She won't know what type of sex we a finna do/Play a cop cuff her to the bed like a criminal/She'll say damn I don't think I could ever get rid of you." - J.R. Writer
Song: "Xtacy"

I have fucked to this song, and it was one of the most intense fuck seshes in the history of fuck seshes. I was also faded off that Absolut Raspberry so that could've had something to do with it. Anway...don't be afraid to push the limits of your comfort zone and try new things. After all, sex should be exciting. Try roleplay. Try stuffing a couple extra knuckles in there. Try assplay. Try some extreme face-sitting. Let your imagination run wild!

Foreplay Is Essential

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Lyric: "Get a broad, get her hot/Get her home, give her cock (Oww)." - Juelz Santana
Song: "Santana's Town"

Juelz Santana taught us how vital it is to till the soil before you sod. It's not optional. A little nibbling or toe sucking can go a long way. Don't be selfish; tease your lover's body to the apex, and reap the rewards.

Have Open Dialogue With Your Partner

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Lyric: "Head before and after, top it off/On ya knees, show you how to top a boss/Lick, suck, deep throat, stop, cough/Hop on, hop off, lollipop off." - Cam'ron
Song: "Suck It Or Not"

Sex is integral to a relationship. Too much or too little can ruin an otherwise perfect bond. And though frequency is important, quality is everything. There is nothing worse than when your boo is getting to know you carnally and does something not enjoyable to your loins. Cam'ron taught us that it's OK to have a frank and open discussion with your lover about what you like. Less spit? More teeth? Three knuckles? Stronger grip?

Offer strict instructions and reap the benefits. Don't be shy.

Find a Shared Hobby

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Lyric: "She get drunk with me, roll the piff up wit me/Throw singles at other hoes in the strip club with me." - Juelz Santana
Song: "Honey Dip"

A highlight of being deep inside the Baetrix is actually getting to spend time together. Sometimes you are out in the world completely consumed with stacking that paper...and as Latiff so insightfully croons, "But sometimes I wanna lay up wit my honey dip."

The best way to go about this is with a similar interest. This allows you to do more things together, strengthening your bond. Plus, when you both enjoy an activity you can have fun independently while still being together (a.k.a. the best of both worlds). In this instance, Juelz and his honey dip bond over stripper sweat and ass slapping. Love is truly a thing of beauty.

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