Dipset A&R DukeDaGod Ready To 'Show What He Can Do'

With the Diplomats brand growing everyday via fashion, music and moste recently liquor, other members of the Dipset team are ready to get their shine on. Longtime Diplomats A&R, Duke Da God, is preparing his own project, titled Dipset: More Than Music, which is a mixtape-like compilation album that will further cement the Diplomats stronghold in hip-hop.

"This album is the Diplomats really coming together to collaborate on songs. The artists worked together much more on this album than they ever have", said Duke.

Comprised of platinum selling artist Cam'ron, Diplomats CEO Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey, JR Writer, Hell Rell, 40 Cal, and newcomer Jha Jha, the Dips first female MC, each member will still have their own time to shine. But whereas the first Diplomats album, Diplomatic Immunity, introduced the crew to the masses, More Than Music is a concept-style album that will present them as a unified group.

Although Duke is one of the silent people behind the scenes of the Diplomats, he has put in a lot of work, and Koch Entertainment took notice, working out a deal with Duke to put out this project.

"They see how we grind, how we move thousands and thousands of tapes on the streets," Duke explains. "We moved so many mixtapes, so why not capitalize off of it and put it in the stores. Now, the crew has been diligently at work with plans to heat up the summer with this latest project, under the direction of one of their own. I'm the A&R of the Diplomats, but I was always the silent dude. Still, I put in a lot of work, so now its time for me to show people what I do."

A Diplomat from the beginning, Duke Da God grew up in the same building as Cam'ron and was instrumental in putting together Children of The Corn -- the legendary group of superstars, who consisted of a young Cam'ron, Mason Betha, Big L and BloodShed. Duke served as their road manager back then, and although he didn't rap, he was considered part of the group.

While Mase and Cam'ron went on to be two of the most successful artists of the group, Big L and Bloodshed met an untimely end, as both of them are now deceased.

Duke has decided to feature Bloodshed on this album, in a rare yet exclusive appearance (Bloodshed Freestyle).

"We got the vocals, and put them together real nice," said Duke. "We were just in the studio and I dug it up. He had a bunch of songs, and I know a lot of people want to hear that stuff, because his music is timeless."

The album's lead single will be "Get Down" featuring Juelz Santana and Cam'ron. Production features include Heatmakerz, Scram Jones and Dame Grease, while guests are kept to a minimum with a single appearance by Fabolous on "I Aint Trying To Go There" with Juelz Santana.

Dipset: More Than Music is slated to hit stores July 12 on Diplomat/Koch Records.

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