Today is Cam’ron’s birthday so why not write a little piece on him. You can’t say the name Killa Cam and not feel a certain way. Cam’ron was one of the flyest cats in the rap game through his style, lyrics, and overall persona. Do you realize how major “Oh Boy” was when that hit the streets? And “Hey Ma” fam? And let’s not even get started on the Purple Haze album or his work with The Diplomats on Diplomatic Immunity. Cam was coming up at the right time in NYC and was a major impact in the hip hop scene going back to his horse & carriage days in the late 90’s through the early 00’s with Roc-A-Fella and the gang. Love me some Cam’ron so let’s spin a few tracks in honor of his born day.
Cam rockin a Drew Brees Chargers jersey tho??
While I’d love to say I’m a day one that’s been down since the Children of the Corn days, I was not hip to that crew all the way out here in San Diego, CA. Cam got his start with Big L, Ma$e, McGruff, and his cousin Bloodshed with the group Children of the Corn. RIP to Big L who pushed Cam and Mase to get out of the streets and rap. Mase helped Cam get his foot in the door with Bad Boy and it was Biggie who helped Cam get his first record deal.
Cam’s debut album Confessions of Fire brought us “Horse & Carriage” which was the first time I heard about him through BET’s Rap City. Trackmasters laced Cam with a dope beat for him to do his thing and he did just that along with his homie Mase on the hook. Dope 90’s shit right here!
On Cam’s 2nd album S.D.E. he ran all of over that The Police sample with “What Means The World To You” which man…. Straight classic here. Cam already came into this album with a lot of confidence but you could see his ascension to greatness on this track. The flow was so on point. This has to be a top 5 video of all time too right?? Cam in his element…
Cam then signed to Roc-A-Fella Records in 2001 where he joined childhood friend Dame Dash on his label with Jigga. He got his chops acting with Paid in Full as Rico and on the music tip, while The Roc had a roster of dope emcees, it was their beatmakers that helped the rappers shine. Just Blaze, Kanye, The Heatmakers… These guys were knocking out smash after smash. Cam dropped Come Home With Me on Roc-A-Fella in 2002 and man oh man… game changed on this.
I’m just going to stop writing here because Cam’s run with this album and onto Diplomatic Immunity with Dipset had the streets poppin. They had the mixtape scene buzzing and Cam, Jimmy Jones, Jules Santana, and Freeky Zeeky were a straight up vibe. The braggadocio on the mic, beat selection, and overall fashion steez? Truly one of a kind. And then Cam’s album, Purple Haze?!?!?!? Geeeeeeeeeeeeeesh. On top of the game.
So on Cam’s birthday, shout out to the OG. Thanks for all of the vibes over the year fam! Looking forward to revisiting the whole catalog and peeping what I might have missed. Drop your favorite track in the comments if you got one!