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Cam'ron | |
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.JPG) Cam'ron performing in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Cameron Giles |
| Also known as | Killa Cam |
| Born | (1976-02-04)February 4, 1976 (age 49) Manhattan,New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Discography | Cam'ron discography |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of | |
| Website | purplehaze2 |
Cameron Ezike Giles (born February 4, 1976),[2] knownmononymously asCam'ron, is an American rapper. Beginning his career in the early 1990s asKilla Cam, Giles signed withLance "Un" Rivera'sUntertainment, an imprint ofEpic Records to release his first two studio albumsConfessions of Fire (1998) andS.D.E. (Sports Drugs & Entertainment) (2000); the former receivedgold certification by theRIAA. After leaving Epic, Giles signed withRoc-A-Fella Records in 2001 to release his third studio album,Come Home with Me, the following year. It receivedplatinum certification by the RIAA and spawned the singles "Oh Boy" (featuringJuelz Santana) and "Hey Ma" (featuring Juelz Santana,Freekey Zekey andToya), which peaked at numbers four and three on theBillboard Hot 100, respectively. His fourth studio album,Purple Haze (2004) was met with similar success and likewise received gold certification by the RIAA.
Due to personal disagreements withJay-Z, Giles and his label parted ways with Roc-A-Fella in 2005 in favor ofAsylum Records. In 2006, Giles released his fifth studio albumKilla Season, accompanied by afilm of the same name in which Giles starred and made his director-screenwriter debut. In 2009, after taking a hiatus due to his mother's health, Giles returned to music and released his sixth studio albumCrime Pays (2009), which peaked at number three on theBillboard 200. A decade later, he released his seventh album,Purple Haze 2 (2019), which narrowly entered the chart.
Aside from his solo career, Giles formed the short-lived hip hop groupChildren of the Corn alongsideBig L andMase in 1993; they disbanded in 1997. He subsequently formed the hip hop collectivethe Diplomats (also known as Dipset) in the latter year, alongside his longtime affiliateJim Jones and cousinFreekey Zekey. He later performed as one half of the duoU.N. (Us Now) with fellow Harlem nativeVado; the duo released two collaborative projects. In addition to theKilla Season film, Giles has acted in other works including theRoc-A-Fella filmsPaper Soldiers andPaid in Full in 2002.
Giles was born and raised in theEast Harlem neighborhood ofUpper Manhattan, New York City.[3] He was raised by his mother, Fredericka Giles (July 10, 1955 – February 9, 2023). He went to school at theManhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, where he met his longtime friendsMase andJim Jones. He was a promising basketball player alongside Mase; however, he was unable to take advantage of scholarship offers due to his poor academic standing. Instead, he enrolled in a college in Texas, without even graduating from high school, but was expelled and returned to Harlem where he began selling drugs before starting his rap career. Giles was eventually introduced toThe Notorious B.I.G. through his childhood friend Mase. B.I.G. introduced Giles toLance Rivera, who signed him to his label, Untertainment.[4][5]
He began his musical career in the mid-1990s, rapping alongsideBig L, Mase, and his cousin Bloodshed, in a group calledChildren of the Corn. After Bloodshed's death in a car accident on March 2, 1997, the group disbanded and the remaining members pursued solo careers.
Two years before Big L's murder in 1999, Cam'ron was introduced toThe Notorious B.I.G. by Mase who was signed toBad Boy Records at the time. Biggie was so impressed by Cam'ron that he introduced him to his partner Lance "Un" Rivera who signed Cam'ron to his Untertainment label, distributed by Epic Records. His debut album,Confessions of Fire, was released a year later in July 1998 and included singles such as "3-5-7" (which was also featured in the movieWoo), and "Horse and Carriage" featuring Mase, which reached the R&B Top Ten. The album achieved gold status and made the Top 10 of both the pop and R&B charts.
In 2000, Cam'ron was working with music executiveTommy Mottola and released his second albumS.D.E. (Sports Drugs & Entertainment) on Sony/Epic Records. With features fromDestiny's Child,Juelz Santana, Jim Jones,N.O.R.E., and producer Digga, it included the relatively successful singles, "Let Me Know" and "What Means The World To You". The album reached Number 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Number 14 on the Billboard 200.
After demanding a release from Sony/Epic Records, Cam'ron signed with his childhood friend and new managerDamon Dash toRoc-A-Fella Records in December 2001, alongside artists such asJay-Z,Beanie Sigel,Freeway andMemphis Bleek. A reported $4.5 million record deal was agreed upon with Damon Dash and his Roc-A-Fella partners Kareem Biggs and Jay-Z in the form of a record advance.[6] His third and most successful albumCome Home with Me was released in 2002 featuring guests such as Jay-Z,Beanie Sigel, andMemphis Bleek, and production fromJust Blaze,Kanye West andThe Heatmakerz. It included the hit singles "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma", which both featuredthe Diplomats newest memberJuelz Santana. The album achieved platinum status and served as a stepping stone for Cam'ron's group the Diplomats to sign with Roc-A-Fella.[7]
In 2002, Cam'ron went on to appear in theDamon Dash produced film,Paid in Full, in which he played one of three main characters alongsideMekhi Phifer andWood Harris.[8] In 2006 he started shooting his movie for his album titledKilla Season; the film would mark both Cam'ron's screenwriting and directorial debuts, as well as his return to acting. Killa Season was released to DVD on April 25, 2006, after a special two-day theatrical release.[9]
In March 2003, Cam'ron teamed up with his fellow Diplomats MembersJim Jones,Juelz Santana, andFreekey Zeeky to release theDiplomats' debut double disc album,Diplomatic Immunity, under Roc-A-Fella/Diplomat Records, which was quickly certifiedgold by theRIAA. The album featured the lead single "Dipset Anthem", a remix to Cam'rons hit "Hey Ma", and the (street anthem) single "I Really Mean It", as well as featuring production fromKanye West,Just Blaze, andThe Heatmakerz. A year later, the Diplomats released their second album,Diplomatic Immunity 2.
On December 7, 2004, Cam'ron's fourth studio album,Purple Haze, was released onDef Jam/Roc-A-Fella Records. It featured collaborations with Kanye West,Jaheim,Twista, Juelz Santana, and various other artists and ultimately reached gold status.[10] The album was also a critical success, being ranked 114th onPitchfork Media's Top 200 Albums of the first decade of the 21st century List, and 10th onRhapsody's Hip Hop's Best Albums Of The Decade List. However, after feeling that the album was poorly promoted and that his projects were not receiving enough attention, Cam'ron requested his release fromRoc-A-Fella Records.
On April 28, 2005, Cam'ron officially joined theWarner Music Group under the Asylum Records imprint.[11] He began work on what would be his first project for the new label. Cam'ron's fifth studio album, titledKilla Season, was released on May 16, 2006, featuring production from long-term collaborators The Heatmakerz, Charlmagne andTy Fyffe, as well as others such asAlchemist andI.N.F.O. Along with the album, Cam'ron released his first film, in which he wrote, directed and starred in, also titled "Killa Season". Despite selling 112,000 units in the first week and debuting at number 2 on the charts,Killa Season failed to have the same sales strength as his two previous releases, butKilla Season became certified gold.
After the release ofKilla Season and his feud with50 Cent in 2007, Cam'ron took a three-year hiatus from music after his mother suffered three strokes which left her paralyzed on her left side. He moved to Florida with her to set up her rehabilitation and therapy, and stayed there until she had fully recovered.[12] Cam'ron's 2009 album,Crime Pays was released on Asylum/Diplomat Records, featuring the majority of the production handled bySkitzo andAraabMuzik. Although none of the singles from the album managed to chart, the album still reached number 3 on theBillboard 200 but only sold 150,000 units, making it the lowest selling album of his career. In 2009 Cam'ron formed a new label, Dipset West and new group theU.N.
In late 2009–early 2010, Cam'ron released a series of mixtapes hosted byDJ Drama calledBoss of All Boses which featured his new upcoming artistVado. Cam'ron also released a collaboration album with his new group theU.N. which included himself and fellowHarlem rapper Vado titledHeat in Here Vol. 1; the first single off the album was "Speaking Tongues" which peaked at No. 82 on theU.S. R&B charts. Cam'ron announced that he would be releasing a joint album with rapper Vado calledGunz n' Butta; on April 19, 2011, the album was released onE1 Music. In 2013, Vado signed withWe the Best Music Group[13] after his personal friendship with Cam'ron eroded, although Vado maintained at the time that they still worked on a business level and had no animosity towards him.[14] After three years Cam'ron and Jim Jones decided to mend their differences and start working together again for the third installment of theDiplomatic Immunity album along with fellow Diplomat membersJuelz Santana andFreekey Zekey. Cam'ron announced thatThe Diplomats album's release would take place around Christmas 2010. The first promotional single featuring the reunited Diplomat members was titled "Salute"; it was produced byAraabMuzik and would later appear onJim Jones albumCapo.
In 2012 Cam'ron was featured on rapper/singerWiz Khalifa's second studio albumO.N.I.F.C. on a song titled "The Bluff". Also In 2012 Cam'ron would be featured on rapper/singerNicki Minaj's second studio albumPink Friday: Roman Reloaded on a song titled "I Am Your Leader" along with rapperRick Ross.
In 2013 during an interview Cam'ron discussed his seventh upcoming studio albumKilla Season 2 stating that it will feature guest appearances fromDipset,T.I.,Nicki Minaj, andWiz Khalifa.[15] On October 1, 2013, Cam'ron released his promotional mixtape for the album titledGhetto Heaven Vol 1.[16]
In January 2014, according toComplex Magazine, Cam'ron andA-Trak were to team up for a collaborative EP to be titledFederal Reserve which would be executive-produced byDame Dash and have featured appearances byJuelz Santana andJim Jones.[17] In May, they put out the first single from the album, titled "Dipsh*ts", featuring commentary fromDame Dash andJuelz Santana on the hook and an accompanying official video. On February 11, 2014, Cam'ron along with fashion designerMark McNairy revealed their "Cape line" during New York fashion week.[18] On October 20, 2014, via his Instagram Cam'ron revealed and released his "Ebola mask" stating on the caption "Ebola is no joking matter, so if u have to be safe, be fashionable".[19] Cam'ron also has a fashion clothing line titled "Dipset USA" which is branded off his former label Diplomat Records.[20] On July 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 1 EP.[21] On August 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 2 EP, it included the single "So Bad" featuringNicki Minaj.[22][23] On September 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 3 EP.[24] On October 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 4 EP.[25] On November 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 5 EP.[26] On December 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his1st of the Month, Vol. 6 EP.[27] On December 11, 2014, Cam'ron announced that his next studio album will not be a sequel to his fifth albumKilla Season but will be a sequel to his critically acclaimed fourth studio albumPurple Haze titledPurple Haze 2; Cam'ron also announced that this would be his final album.[28] On December 16, 2014, Cam'ron would release his compilation1st of the Month: Box Set (Deluxe Edition).[29]
On January 1, 2015, well known DJFunkmaster Flex announced via his Instagram that he had spoken to fellowDiplomat members Cam'ron,Jim Jones andJuelz Santana about an upcoming Diplomat's mixtape which included fellow memberFreekey Zeekey. He also confirmed and stated that he will be hosting the mixtape along with DJ's/Rappers/ProducersDJ Khaled,Swizz Beatz andDJ Mustard.[30]
In July 2016, he announced that he will release an album called Killa Pink and he promoted his line of signature the Reebok Flea 2's, and announced that the shoe will be released in combination with the album.[31]
In 2002, Cam'ron went on to appear in theDamon Dash produced film,Paid in Full, in which he played one of three main characters alongsideMekhi Phifer andWood Harris.[32] In 2006, started shooting his movie for his album titledKilla Season, the film would mark both Cam'ron's screenwriting and directorial debuts, as well as his return to acting.Killa Season was released to DVD on April 25, 2006, after a special two-day theatrical release.[9]
On February 11, 2014, Cam'ron, along with fashion designerMark McNairy, revealed their "Cape line" during the New York fashion week.[33] On October 20, 2014, via his Instagram, Cam'ron revealed and released his "Ebola mask", stating on the caption: "Ebola is no joking matter, so if u have to be safe, be fashionable".[34] Cam'ron also has a fashion clothing line titled "Dipset USA" which is branded off his former labelDiplomat Records.[35]
In 2023, Cam'ron launched an independently produced sports' news talk show, calledIt Is What It Is. Cam'ron's co-host on the show is rapperMase. The show's first episode premiered on February 27, 2023, on YouTube. In the months proceeding the show's launch, it has achieved viral success on the internet. According to Cam'ron, he has already turned down several multi-million dollar offers from buyers looking to purchase the show.[36] In August 2023, it was officially announced that the show has partnered withUnderdog Fantasy Sports.[37]
Although there had been rumors of a feud between the two emcees, Cam'ron went public first with a track on "Killa Season" called "You Gotta Love It (Jay-Z Diss)" featuring ex-Dipset memberMax B. In the song, Cam'ron takes jabs at Jay-Z's age, his alleged "biting" (stealing) of lyrics, and his current girlfriend. He references Jay-Z usingThe Notorious B.I.G.'s rhymes, rapping "You ain't the only one with big wallets got it my shit's brolick but ya publishing should go to Miss Wallace." He then released another song "Swagger Jacker (Biter Not a Writer)" to highlight the many songs Jay-Z has borrowed lines from. In the next issue ofXXL, Cam'ron explained the beef originated when Jay-Z became CEO and President ofRoc-A-Fella Records.[38] In 2010, Cam'ron stated he does not have any issues with Jay-Z anymore.
In 2013, on "Pound Cake", a song byDrake, Jay-Z mentioned Cam'ron again by rapping (in the middle of a verse): "Now here's the icing on the cake/ Cake, cake-cake, cake-cake, uhh/ I'm just getting started, oh, yeah, we got it bitch/ I've done made more millionaires than the lotto did/Dame made millions, Bigg made millions/Ye made millions,Just made millions/Lyor made millions, Cam made millions/Beans would tell you if he wasn't in his feelin[g]s."[39]
Cam replied briefly on "Come and Talk to Me" off ofGhetto Heaven Vol. 1: "She said Jay made you a millionaire? and looked me in the eyes/ Said cake, cake, cake, got that from the pies/ We made each other millions, that was my reply/ had a mill before I met him, baby, that ain't no lie/ See he named some Harlem cats and thehomie from the Chi / but my thing, he ain't name nobody from theStuy".[40]
On April 26, 2019, he and Jay-Z ended their feud at the re-openedWebster Hall.[41]
On February 1, 2007, Cam'ron and50 Cent had a live argument onTheAngie Martinez Show onHot 97 radio. 50 Cent commented that he feltKoch Entertainment was a "graveyard", meaning major record labels would not work with their artists.[42] Cam'ron then ridiculed the record sales ofG-Unit membersLloyd Banks andMobb Deep by pointing out thatDipset memberJim Jones outsold both of their albums despite not being signed to a major label, and also went on to clarify that his group, The Diplomats, had a distribution deal from several labels.[42] Both rappers released diss songs with videos onYouTube. 50 Cent released "Funeral Music", and suggested in the song that Cam'ron is no longer able to lead The Diplomats and that Jim Jones should take his place. Cam'ron responded with "Curtis" and "Curtis Pt. II", in which he makes fun of 50 Cent's appearance, calling him "a gorilla, with rabbit teeth". 50 Cent responded by releasing "Hold On" withYoung Buck. Since 2009, the feud slowly died down, and they eventually reconciled in 2016.[43]
Cam'ron revealed in 2007 that he was no longer speaking to his fellow Diplomat members Juelz Santana and Jim Jones, leading to speculation that the group had officially broken up. However, despite admitting that he did not want to contact Jim Jones, he said that he had no hard feelings towards him. In an interview with Miss Info, Cam'ron said: "I still haven't spoken to Jim. But Jim ran with me for over 10 years, he worked hard, and I wish him the best of luck. Everybody thinks I'm mad at Jim. Why am I mad? I told people for years that Jimmy was gonna be a star. So it's better on my resume. I wish him the best."[44] After three years of not speaking, Cam'ron and Jim Jones mended their differences in April 2010. In late 2011, both appeared together onWolfgang Gartner's albumWeekend in America, on the track "Circus Freaks".
Both Cam'ron and Jim Jones took out their frustrations on former label-mate Kanye West in defense of former CEO Dame Dash (due to their longtime friendship dating back to growing up in Harlem)[45] by releasing a song titled "Toast" rhyming over Kanye West's song "Runaway". The feud eventually ended, evidenced by Cam'ron, Jim Jones, and Kanye West collaborating on a song called "Christmas in Harlem".
On October 23, 2005, Cam'ron was leaving a nightclub in Washington, D.C., having performed the day before atHoward University. While stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of New York and New Jersey Avenues shortly after midnight, a passenger of a nearby car threatened Cam'ron to "give up" his 2006Lamborghini. Cam'ron resisted, and the man then shot him. Cam'ron was struck at least once as he was holding the steering wheel, but he was able to drive, going the wrong way on streets and flashing his lights, until a fan drove him to Howard University Hospital. The gunman and passenger drove off, crashed into a parked car, and fled the scene. D.C. Metro Police recovered a cell phone from the scene of the crash, which they tried to use to trace the suspects. He stated that he does not know who shot him, although later, in the song "Gotta Love It" featuringMax B, Cam'ron claims that he saw the gunman throw up theRoc-A-Fella Records diamond hand signal before shots were fired.[46][47]
On April 22, 2007, Cam'ron was interviewed on60 Minutes as part of a piece on theStop Snitchin' movement.[48] He stated that he would "not help the police" try to locate a potential shooter, saying he is "not a snitch" and helping the police would probably hurt his record sales, adding "It's about business but it's still also a code of ethics." When asked byAnderson Cooper if he would tell the police if a serial killer was living next to him, Cam'ron replied "I would probably move" but would not inform the police. He later apologized, calling it an "error in judgement":[48] "Where I come from, once word gets out that you've cooperated with the police that only makes you a bigger target of criminal violence. That is a dark reality in so many neighborhoods like mine across America. I'm not saying its right, but its reality." Cam'ron has had contact with the police in the past. According toThe Smoking Gun, New York Police Department records indicate that Giles filed a report with police after he was assaulted by 15 unidentified men at a park in Harlem in 1999.[49]
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