Words by Jesse Serwer—
Jim Jones’ latest video features the Diposet-capo-turned-reality-TV-curiosity freestyling over reggae star Christopher Martin’s “Cheater’s Prayer.” Unexpected? Sure. Surprising? Hardly. During their heyday in the mid 2000s, the Diplomats—Jones, Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana, Freeky Zeeky, JR Writer and various assorted other Harlem characters—regularly interacted with dancehall, collaborating with Sizzla and Vybz Kartel and sampling Sanchez, Bob Marley and Sister Nancy. Then there’s Cam’Ron’s occasionally offensive but generally hilarious references to Jamaican culture, specifically its food. Here’s a look at some of the Harlem crew’s 10 best and most notable riffs on reggae, dancehall—and ganzie shirts.