Exclusive: The Diplomats' capo discusses his crew's comeback, their recent recordings with Dre, the Pop-ness of "Perfect Day," and his "new face" Cosb

Apparently, Dr. Dre doesn’t trust The Diplomats with possessing copies of the music the legendary left coast producer and the Harlem quartet recently recorded together.

“He actually took all of the songs,” Jim Jones revealed to HipHopDX on Thursday (March 25th). “He did some fly shit; he set up his shit and the songs were recorded directly to his hard drive and his computer, inside of my studio. … Smart dude.”

“He critiqued the way I did my verse,” Jim further noted of his studio time with Dre. “He helped me get my pronunciation right. He put me through a little bit of a schooling there, so that was kinda dope. We recorded about three or four songs in there. It was dope; a dope experience.”

While he doesn’t know the titles of the aforementioned songs because they are not in his possession, Jones did describe the sound of the tracks as being definitely “Dre-ish.”

Once The Diplomats began talks with Interscope Records to release the crew’s comeback effort, Diplomatic Immunity 3, Dipset were connected with Dr. Dre via Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine.

The Diplomats founding fathers, Jim Jones and Cam’ron, ended their three-year professional separation by repairing their fractured friendship almost exactly a year ago. And now, after completing their own respective music projects, they are finally about to put the finishing touches on their team’s reunion release, which Jones told DX he is aiming to have released on the 4th of July.

“It was more personally motivated than it was business,” Jim replied when asked how much professional and how much personal interests played a role in bringing the Dipset back together. “The business came after the personal. Above all, our brotherhood is the most important thing …. We grew up together. So that bond and that friendship means more to us than anything. And, the powerful music that we created, we created from within that brotherhood. So the music is the easiest part. The understanding was the hardest. And we got that together.”

Cam and Jim will next appear together on “Getting To The Money,” from Jones’ return to the independent Rap game, Capo (due April 5th).

“E1 [Entertainment] was the label that I was most successful with,” Jim explained of his decision to take his solo career back indie. “I did a gold record over there with my last record that I did with E1, [Hustler’s P.O.M.E. ]. So it felt better to go back with them and do another album. Plus, contractually I was obligated through my last deal that if [things] didn’t go right at Sony [Records]… then I would have to owe Koch an album - that they paid a shit-load of money to do.”

Things “didn’t go right at Sony” for what was supposed to have been Jones’ breakthrough release as a solo artist, 2009’s Pray IV Reign , due to a variety of industry politics according to Jim.

“The Columbia [Records] situation was a bit political,” he explained, “one of the most humbling experiences that I had in the industry. We not gon’ point no fingers or talk about it too much, ‘cause I’ve come to grips with politics. … But, for the most part, Columbia was good to me. I got to waste millions and millions of dollars on that last project. [I] did everything under the sun when it came to me recording at a major label. It was definitely a fun experience. Only towards the end of it when they started losing their staff and their infrastructure – shouts out to Al Branch and Hip Hop, who got fired five weeks before my album droppin’. They was handling my whole situation. So I went from shipping 350,000 records to like a 100,000 records. It was a lot of political shit that went on for me to get out the building that I had no control over. But one thing that was in my credit was that I signed a piece a paper that said I was free of debt, meaning I don’t owe them nothing. … They’re not attached to anything that I have to do in the future; I don’t owe them anything, so as far as a business move that was a great business move.”

P.O.D. FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST LABEL

Christian headbangers P.O.D. have filed suit against their record label, Tennessee-based INO Records, claiming that the company breached its contract by refusing to pay the band an advance for its next album.

The suit, filed in Nashville, states that INO was required under its deal with P.O.D. to provide a $400,000 advance in November, when the group informed the label that it was ready to start recording the follow-up to 2008's "When Angels & Serpents Dance." According to the document, INO "materially breached" its agreement with P.O.D. by refusing to pay the option, claiming that P.O.D. had " 'abandoned' its obligations (to INO) under the agreement."

The suit does not detail INO's position, and the label did not respond to a request for comment.

The suit does not specify damages, but John R. Jacobson, P.O.D.'s Nashville-based attorney, told Billboard.com that the band "will seek at least the $400,000" due from the label, and possibly more.

P.O.D. signed with INO in February of 2007, following its departure from Atlantic Records after four albums, including "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown" in 1999 and 2001's "Satellite." "When Angels & Serpents Dance" debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Top 200 and marked the return of original guitarist Marco Curiel, who had left P.O.D. in 2003.

P.O.D. has concerts booked during April in South America and will also play at the Rock on the Range festival on May 21 in Columbus, Ohio.

Nicki Minaj In Discussions to Join Britney Spears Tour

Nicki Minaj is in discussions -- but not confirmed -- to support Britney Spears on the latter's upcoming tour, after Enrique Iglesias abruptly pulled out hours after the tour was announced, sources have told Billboard.

Minaj is currently on the road with Lil Wayne on his I Am Still Music tour. Spears' tour begins June 17 in Sacramento. Tour promoter Live Nation and representatives for Minaj could not be reached for comment.

Enrique Iglesias-Britney Spears Tour Still Possible, Source Says

Hours after a Spears-Iglesias tour was announced on Tuesday (Mar. 29), Iglesias pulled out of the summer trek, reportedly due to the perception that Iglesias would be opening for Spears instead of co-headlining the tour with her. Although Spears has expressed interest in adding Usher to the tour, the R&B star is highly unlikely to join the trek, as he is managed by Randy Phillips who also helms AEG Live, producers of Spears' last tour and very competitive with current promoter Live Nation.

"Femme Fatale," Spears' seventh album that was also released on Tuesday, is expected to reach No. 1 on next week's Billboard 200. Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj's debut album, "Pink Friday," has moved 1.3 million copies since its November release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Here are Britney Spears' previously announced tour dates:

June 17: Sacramento, Ca. (Power Balance Pavilion)
June 18: San Jose, Ca. (HP Pavilion)
June 20: Los Angeles, Ca. (Staples Center)
June 24: Anaheim, Ca. (Honda Center)
June 25: Las Vegas, Nev. (MGM Grand)
June 28: Portland, Oreg. (Rose Garden Arena)
June 29: Tacoma, Wash. (Tacoma Dome)
July 1: Vancouver, B.C. (Rogers Arena)
July 4: Winnipeg, M.B. (MTS Centre)
July 6: St. Paul, Minn. (Xcel Center)
July 8: Chicago, Ill. (United Center)
July 12: Dallas, Tex. (American Airlines Center)
July 13: Houston, Tex. (Toyota Center)
July 15: New Orleans, La. (New Orleans Arena)
July 17: Atlanta, Ga. (Philips Arena)
July 20: Orlando, Fla. (Amway Center)
July 22: Miami, Fla. (American Airlines Arena)
July 26: Cleveland, Ohio (Quicken Loans Arena)
July 28: Detroit, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills)
July 30: Philadelphia, Pa. (Wells Fargo Center)
July 31: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)
Aug. 2: Uniondale, N.J. (Nassau Coliseum)
Aug. 5: East Rutherford, N.J. (Izod Center)
Aug. 8: Boston, Mass. (TD Garden)
Aug. 11: Montreal, Quebec (Bell Centre)
Aug. 13: Toronto, Ont. (Air Canada Centre)

LIL WAYNE'S UPCOMING ALBUM

Fans can expect "a new Wayne" when Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" is released on May 16, according to executive producer and Cash Money Records co-chief Bryan "Birdman" Williams.

"He sounds brand new to me," Birdman tells Billboard.com. "There's a new energy... just a different energy. He can still rap his ass off, but he took his raps to another level. To me, he went back to that traditional raw Cash Money music, just raw beats, 808s popping off and Wayne rapping, hard. It really sounds great to me."Birdman says Wayne's eight-month incarceration in 2010 may have given him the rapper a new resolve and purpose. "He got to sleep for eight months," he explains, "and I think the rest gave him another energy, and he's pouring it all out through his music." And that music is apparently still coming, even though the deadline for turning in "Tha Carter IV" is nearing.

"Really the hardest part of Wayne's albums is picking the songs, because he has so many great records and while we narrow it down he'll still be recording," Birdman says. "Wayne will change a song and change his mind right to the end, so we're never done 'til it's done -- and even then we're still recording and working on the next album. But that's OK; our last songs will always be our biggest songs, so we work all the way 'til the end."

Birdman says "The Carter IV" will feature appearances by most of the Cash Money crew -- including himself, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Mack Maine and Tyga -- while Rick Ross is at this point the only outsider involved in the album. "He kept it to the family," Birdman notes. "It's basically just the team."

Lil Wayne Announces May 16 Release Date for 'Tha Carter IV'

Once "The Carter IV" is wrapped, Birdman says he and Wayne plan to proceed on a sequel to their 2006 collaboration "Like Father, Like Son." "We're looking to do that in December some time, after we all drop our solos albums and go on tour," he says. "We have a lot of songs we did before (Wayne) went (to jail), and we've been working since he came home. All we've got to do is pick. And Wayne likes to be fresh with our music, so we might wait... and just knock out 20 songs right quick and put those on the album."

Birdman, meanwhile, is "kind of finished" with his next album, "Bigga Than Life," which is due out July 7. That said, he adds that "we're still recording. I don't have to turn it in 'til next month, so we continue to record, 'cause that's how we work. I'm content with what I have now, though." The first single from the set will be "Why You Mad?," which Birdman describes as "clubbish, uptempo, hot" with guest appearances from Lil Wayne and Minaj. Other Cash Money artists and Game will also appear on the album.

Cash Money is planning for a busy year, too, which will also include releases by Drake, Minaj, Kevin Rudolf, Lil Twist, Mack Maine, Shanell and Tyga. "It feels like a new excitement around here," Birdman reports. "We had Nicki blast off, Drake blast off, Wayne's back...It just feels like a whole new excitement around here. It's a real family, a team. We look after each other and are there for each other. We dedicate our life to this, and we make sacrifices for success. There's no stopping with us."

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50 Cent Says War Angel LP Proves He's Just As Hungry As New MCs

Original hard beats, two new verses on each record and 50 Cent talking at the end of a lot of the songs. Admit it: Sometimes hearing Fif speak at the end of records is just as entertaining as hearing him rap.
"That's when I don't have to be in song format," 50 said last week from his new G-Unit Manhattan office. Yeah, he and his crew packed up from their old 34th Street digs and have a better spot. "I can say exactly what I mean, and people are entertained by that too. That's also a sign that you're a star."

Young Jeezy Brings Out Lil Wayne At Birthday Bash

This year, the city was anticipating two of their hometown bigwigs, Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy. The two rocked the concert last year and, for Gucc, it was almost like a coming-out party — the fans sang along to all his mixtape hits and Mane reestablished himself as being very hot in the streets. Jeezy was actually elevating to the next level of his career — already huge in the 'hood, the Snowman gave the mainstream a wake-up call, bringing out his Grammy Award-winning peers Usher and Kanye West to join him onstage. Young stole the show and was rewarded with the headlining spot at this year's Bash.No dis records — just good music, as both Gucci and Jeezy showed up with big sets. Jeezy did it again, with undoubtedly the biggest surprise and most talked about money moment of the night — bringing out Lil Wayne. The two, who are going out on tour this summer as part of the America's Most Wanted Music Festival, shook hands center stage. Wayne hit the crowd with a nice set-up jab, his verse and chorus to Birdman's "Always Strapped," then ended his mini-set and the show with one of rap's summer anthems, "Every Girl."Shortly before bringing out Wayne, Jeezy introduced Mary J. Blige to the audience. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul didn't perform, but expressed adulation for the Snowman as she told the crowd that he was "Mr. Birthday Bash." Young started his set with hits such as "Who Dat," "Bottom of the Map," and the always reliable crowd pleaser, "Bi--- Get Your Mind Right."A couple of hours before Jeezy, the duo calling themselves the Birthday Bash Boys had major shine onstage. OJ Da Juiceman warmed the audience with records such as "Washing Powder Money." When the music for "Make the Trap Say Aye," began, the crowd started to stir a bit more — they know who the guest star on the track is: Gucci!As the song stopped on Gucci's part, the Mane himself came out — the fans knew the songs line for line and cheered Gucc on. "Ridiculous," "Freaky Girl" and "Wasted" took the energy up a bit higher, until ultimately Gucc and OJ left. Not to be outdone, Plies was a one-man event during his set. The Florida MC went back and forth between raunchy songs for the ladies and cement-hard records for the fellas. "Plenty Money" popped off big time, as he held two huge stacks of ones in his hand, which he said totaled $50,000 — he then made it rain on the crowd.The Grand Hustle family were early show-stealers, as Young Dro captained a fast-paced, well-received performance that included Yung L.A., guest Maino, and new Grand Hustle family members the Rich Kids.The bill for Birthday Bash was loaded. The show started at 6:00 p.m. and didn't slow down until after Jeezy's set, just shy of 1:00 a.m. Other acts on the roster included Rick Ross, Fabolous, the G.S. Boyz, Trey Songz, Jeremih, Twista, Keri Hilson, Pleasure P and F.L.Y. (who provided another major moment by bringing out hometown legend Pastor Troy), Soulja Boy Tell'em (who performed with former foe and now current ally, Bow Wow), and more. Big Boi and Andre of Outkast were in the crowd, but did not perform. Maybe next year?

GORILLA ZOE

Alonzo Mathis (born March 23, 1979), better known by his stage name Gorilla Zoe (pronounced [zəʊ], rhymes with JOE), is an American hip hop artist from Atlanta, Georgia.[1]
He replaced Young Jeezy as a member of Boyz N Da Hood. He first saw success after his single "Hood Nigga" was released, followed by the backing of Yung Joc on songs including "Coffee Shop" and "Bottle Poppin'," which charted under several Billboard categories [2].
His first solo album, Welcome to the Zoo, was released October 2007, peaking at #18 on the Billboard Top 200, #3 on Top Rap Albums, and #8 on Top R&B Albums. [3]
His second solo album, Don't Feed da Animals, featuring the single "Lost", was released on March 17, 2009.

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