The Tension In Harlem Runs Deeper Than 'Love & Hip Hop': How Did The Diplomats Get to this Point and Where Do They Stand Now?

It's been about eighteen years since founding members Jim Jones and Cam'ron put on for Harlem by introducing the world to The Diplomats which at that time also included Freaky Zekey. In 1999, Juelz joined the crew and four years later they released Diplomatic Immunity, two discs and 27 songs of pure fire under Dame Dash and Jay Z's Roc-A-Fella label. Well, it's no secret Cam and Jay had a little issue that eventually fueled growing issues between Jay and Dame. The dysfunction at The Roc caused the young Harlem hustlers to switch up labels in 2004. Being at the center of The Roc rift was one thing, but then things hit home in 2007. Shortly after Juelz performed with Jimmy and 50 Cent, the group split up because Killa Cam was beefin' with 50 Cent at the time. These ongoing beefs are what ultimately lead to the end of one of the most influential hip-hop groups like, ever.

If you're a true Love & Hip Hop fan, you remember back in 2011, Jim and his wife Chrissy Lampkin made their debut in season one, and during the second season of the show, they had a falling out with current cast member and Jim's former manager, Yandy Smith. According to Yandy, in this vintage clip we dug up, Chrissy was just hating at the fact that executive producer Mona Scott-Young gave her more air time. Chrissy responded that Yandy's managerial neglect and desire to be in every scene led to their damaged relationship.

When Yandy refused to quit the show due to her desire to be a "reality TV star" according to Chrissy, ish most definitely went left. In this clip from season two, Yandy even tries to speak to Juelz for some guidance regarding the beef, even though Kimbella made her feelings about Chrissy clear.

Despite Juelz' advice for Yandy to talk it out with the Joneses, that relationship just couldn't be saved. Juelz wasn't the only one in the middle, Mama Jones even took a stance when she decided to attend Yandeecees wedding, in spite of her son's feelings.

When we caught up with Yandy last year, she let us know the current status of her relationship with Chrissy and Jim. Cue the shade:

As if that wasn't enough mess, Jim came at Cam'ron for showing love to Mendeecees for dropping his track, "We Gets Busy," right before he went to prison. In an Instagram post, Cam big-upped Mendeecees, offering support for the long road ahead.

Yo @yandysmith the Boi @mendeecees might of caught one wit this.. And @therealkiss on it?! ?????? #Harlem

The Shade Room captured Jim Jones' response to the post where he calls out Cam for being cool with "a snitch," which Cam found ridiculously hilarious.

All this back-and-forth when we should've just took Jim Jones word for it when he admitted in 2014 in a Breakfast Club interview that things simply just would never be the same, even though they were still sporadically dropping songs. For several years, we've been hyped into believing these guys would get it together with countless empty promises of them being reunited. "DipShi*ts" dropped, we were gassed. "Just Blaze" dropped, we were gassed. "Have My Money" was dropped, and again, gassed- yet we still remained hopeful.

Earlier this year, Diplomats fans everywhere were even more disheartened to see that on the 13th anniversary of Diplomatic Immunity, Jim Jones found himself on IG begging fans to aid him in getting Cam to unblock him.

13 yrs ago today us we did tht #DipSet somebody tell #KillaCam to unblock me lol

Before fans can even help the brotha out, Cam posted a photo (captured by The Shade Room) saying, "anybody that tells me to unblock Jim Jones, I’m blocking yall nx".

That was all the NO we needed.

It seems as if these guys have any typical relationship with brothers, just mad ups and downs we'll never fully understand. If ever there was a time we needed the Jordan crying face, it would be for coming to grips that nothing will ever be the same.