10 Ways Dipset Changed Hip-Hop

A look at Cam'ron, Jim Jones, and Juelz Santana's lasting influence on the genre.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Today marks the 10th anniversary of Diplomatic Immunity, the opus of Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freeky Zekey—collectively known as The Diplomats.

It's interesting to see the nostalgia and acclaim the group receives in retrospect; at the time, they were controversial, immoral, and divisive. The group's music was mercilessly lowbrow, but absurdist, artful, and hilarious.

They were a true grassroots movement, perhaps the last New York has seen. The crew's success was built on a combination of mixtape grind, hit singles, street DVDs, and a unique aesthetic vision. Coming up at a time when Atlanta was ascendant, the crew managed to keep New York City a hub of street rap into the new decade.

Before the crew reunites tonight for their concert at B.B. Kings in NYC, here's a look at the 10 Ways Dipset Changed Hip-Hop.

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They Pioneered the Artist-Driven Mixtapes of Today

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They Became Stars Through Street DVDs

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They Changed the Face of Rap Fashion

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They Brought Hip-Hop into the E-Beef Era

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They Introduced Important New Talent to the Game

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They Embraced Artists Outside of NYC

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They Popularized "No Homo" and "Pause"

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They Changed the Face of Rap Fashion, Again

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They Brought Humor Back to NYC Rap

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They Popularized Independence for Major Label Refugees

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