Hip hop is no stranger to drama, and the latest revelations from Freekey Zeekey of The Diplomats are stirring the pot once again. In a recent interview, Zeekey detailed how an infamous altercation involving Jim Jones and Roc-A-Fella executive Lenny Santiago, also known as Lenny S, ignited tensions between Jones and Jay-Z, leading to a significant rift that impacted the relationship between The Diplomats and Roc-A-Fella Records.
During the late 2000s, hip hop fans witnessed a brief but intense rivalry between Jim Jones and Jay-Z. This beef arose when The Diplomats parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records, a split that Zeekey attributes, at least in part, to Jones’ actions. According to Freekey Zeekey, the tension escalated when Jim Jones confronted Lenny S after being denied studio time on a Sunday.
Zeekey recounted the events leading up to the confrontation: “We were at Roc-A-Fella, wondering where Lenny S was. We couldn’t find him, so I hopped on the elevator with Jim and my man Snagz, and they were pressing the button, eager to get downstairs.” He noted that a physical altercation ensued, with Jim Jones reportedly slapping Lenny S, a longtime friend of Jay-Z’s.
The implications of this incident were far-reaching. Zeekey explained that the refusal to grant studio access was taken personally by The Diplomats, igniting the feud. “When tensions were high, we called Lenny S to request studio time, and he bluntly told us, ‘Kiss my ass, it’s Sunday!’” This dismissal only fueled the fire, leading to a breakdown in relations between the two camps.
The fallout from this incident resulted in a notable feud, with Cam’Ron, another member of The Diplomats, releasing a diss track titled “You Gotta Love It,” which accused Jay-Z of underhanded tactics in his business dealings. Years later, Jay-Z responded with a remix of Jim Jones’ hit “Ballin’,” where he took shots at the Harlem rapper and his crew, further cementing the rivalry in hip hop lore.
The history between Roc-A-Fella and The Diplomats exemplifies the competitive nature of the genre, where personal and professional conflicts often collide. As these revelations come to light, fans are reminded of the intricate web of relationships and rivalries that define hip hop culture.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds, and let’s see what other secrets from hip hop’s past may come to light!
