Words By Jesse H.
“…Call‘em Lemonheads.”
I hope you all are enjoying the Cam’ron renaissance as much as I am. This guy just completed a whirlwind month and a half where he did interview after interview (including a Session) and dropped gem after gem after gem. But, as I eagerly await the release of Crime Pays, I’ve found myself indulging in some of the man’s past works. Most notably “Killa Cam” from Purple Haze. I’ve started every day off with it for the past week.
The beat, the ridiculous cut scream, the repetition of that clip of Cam’ron cracking up (I don’t understand why it’s there, but it’s excellent just the same). Every time I hear those ladies come in at the beginning, I picture Caribbean background singers howling tribal cries over a massive bonfire. But then the bass blasts smack your arse back to the concrete jungle, where Cam is firing off rhymes with feverish permutations of multi-syllabic pairings and hitting you over the head with the alliteration.
Hate to be the quadtrillionth person to say this but… KILLA! Good to have you back Cam.
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Previously Posted — Cam’ron – “I Got It For Cheap” Video | TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With Cam’ron
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You know what?
As much as I don’t really follow Cam, and don’t listen to his music…
…I’m ACTUALLY looking forward to Crime Pays.
Cookies And Apple Juice, I Get It In Ohio, I Got it For Cheap…
Cam might make a listener out of me yet. I still ain’t a fan. But I’ll listen.
summer 06? lawd have mercy for the mercury
Cam is bringing back that street shit for real. He got me diggin for my copies of confessions of fire and SDE. Classics. People forget that Cam was cosigned by B.I.G personally and put in work with Big L with children of the corn. I’m kind of glad he didnt hop on the pirate tip. Crime pays should be dope!
One of his best songs, this beat bumps heavy.
… This the realest since kumbaya!
Cookies & some apple JOOOOOOUICE!!!
I dont get it, Im 32, grew up on Ice Cube Amerikkkas Most, Death Certificate, then followed Pac, Nas, then B.I.G., then Jay Z, and all the great ones in between, how can you call this song dope and marvel at this sh!t sandwich disguised as a song? the standards for dope lyrics and lyricists are so low its ridiculous. You could EASILY find lyrics this dope in any 5th graders rhyme book.
How any reputable HH writer can vouch for this is beyond me maybe Im just out of the loop or never dropped my standards since B.I.G died.Or maybe I’ve become the “old nigga” like my pops used to be complaining about whats real music and what aint.
If you think Cam killed this song nikka you lost….
@Phil, someone already mentioned on this comment board that Biggie co-signed Cam himself.
Furthermore, when did I EVER imply in this post that Cam was on the level of the all-time greats? This was no argument that Cam was better than Cube, Jay or BIG. Just recognition of a dope song.
Don’t get it twisted and search through the archives for my articles before you go hating on my catalog/standards.
I’d say more West African than Carribean. It’s my favorite Cam’ron song, along with “Get ‘Em Girls.”
Hip hop ain’t all about the lyrics. It’s about the feel of the song. Some dude could spit Shakespeare (figuratively), but it’s not gonna be dope. No one’s saying Cam’s on a Biggie level, but he’s dope in his own right.
*not necessarily gonna be dope
Yeah B.I did co sign Cam but that was Confessions of Fire Cam, not rooty, tooty, ……fresh and fruity ……baby bootie……. baby do me do me…. Cam,
^
True, but you can’t assume he wouldn’t still vouch for him today.
Hi. World Champion Cam’ron hater Dart Adams reporting for duty. Fuck Cameron Giles and the horse he rode in on. Take your ass the fuck back to Ohio. If crime truly does pay then why rhyme?
One.
I agree w/ my fellow philly bull phil. Camron sucks. “Killa Cam” sucks! I don;t care how many big words you use in the article. lol That “hip-hop ain’t all about lyrics” line kills me everytime that is the worse cop out EVER! The lemonhead line you quoted speaks for itself. Just like masta killa said ” the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum”. That shit rings true for every rapper in dipset, rick ross, jeezy, etc. They have the sickest beats and nobody be spitting! I’m not saying be big pun on the track but don’t tell me you get computers puting!! TSS is usually my escape haven from the daily non-sense n garbage i’m forced to hear from friends and @ school with gucci mane’s, shorty lo’s, & gorilla zoe’s. But to come to my haven and see an article telling me that they are happy Killa Cam is back is a sad day in TSS world. Cam “USED TO BE” hot and I repeat “USED TO BE HOT” that is why Big cosigned him. The rapping he did when big was alive as well in children in the corn are like night and day. He does not rap the same and it’s not even close. If you think Big would cosign this garbage you are sadly mistaken! If you start your day off to this BS then you prob should end your day right after the tracks stops! Sorry Jess but this article is UNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN-ACCEPTABLE!
It doesn’t matters who cosigns anyone. If you enjoy Cam’ron’s music continue to do so. If you don’t like his music continue to dislike it.
Hip Hop isn’t all about lyrics
——————————————————————
That’s one of the major problems with Hip Hop now, record labels are more concerned with finding a cat with the right look, voice, and ‘swag’; then looking for cats that can rhyme.
Ray I agree with 1000 percent about that Hip Hop isn’t all about lyrics line. It drives me crazy; growing up you called a MC wack. It was akin to talking about their mama. Now it seems alot of these rappers strive to be garbage. But again if Jesse likes Cam, he has the right to like him. You can disagree, but to say the whole article is garbage is Unn Acceptable. LOL!!!!
Damn that computers putin line will go down in history but as far as I’m concerned Cam is enterntainment. He aint dropping lyrical science but he’s definitely having fun. Hip Hop takes itself way too seriously. Dudes need to lighten up.
^^..Have to agree with Phil..I’m from the same era..plus I am from Philly too..maybe that has something to do with it..but I don’t get the hype over Cam..Let’s be honest for real..dude ain’t that nice…357 jawn was aight..but c’mon dude ain’t no lyrical beast..”i keep computers puteing”..some great beats..but seriously..WTF?.
KILLA CAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE REAL BEST RAPPER ALIVE (EXCLUDING J-A-Y)
Fucking complaints again???!!! I swear ninjaz act as if they’re too intelligent to listen to certain songs or artists. Also, I’m sick of these “back in the day” comparisons, like all hiphop was so great back then. Times change and artists change, if you don’t like it then don’t support it. Do your thing Jesse, word to Killa.
Complaints?..get the fuck outta here with that bullshit..why have a message board if people can’t give their opinion on the write up..?..nobody is saying I remember when..all they are saying is..>>>” Every time I hear those ladies come in at the beginning, I picture Caribbean background singers howling tribal cries over a massive bonfire. But then the bass blasts smack your arse back to the concrete jungle, where Cam is firing off rhymes with feverish permutations of multi-syllabic pairings and hitting you over the head with the alliteration”<< was alittle overboard for THAT bullshit song.. other than that..what’s the problem?..
Kool G Rap – Crime Pays
@Flea
Nahh Im not to intelligent to listen to certain artists, but dont piss on my head and tell me its raining (No R Kelly) Id rather you say
” Killa Cam is back with some more of his stupid shit, you know that goofy nonsensical shit he be doing, that computers putin boopity boopin shit, but its mad fun to listen to yall!”
I could respect that but PLEASE dont tell me this nigga is “firing off rhymes with feverish permutations” Im not even sure what that last word means but nothing about Cam 11 A.C (After Confessions) says feverish or permutations.
Flea:You hit it on the head, we don’t have to like the same things.
Every era of Hip Hop had wack artist. During the ‘Golden Age’ of hip hop MC Brains was making wack records as well. I’m 35 so I’ve been to the Fresh Fest; but I also been to the Roc Da Mic tour and I enjoyed both concerts. You don’t have to knock what the younger generation is doing to respect what the forefathers of the culture has done.
Or maybe I’ve become the “old nigga” like my pops used to be complaining about whats real music and what aint
====================================
You hit the nail on the head.
Old geezer lol.
ray STFU
If crime truly does pay then why rhyme?
===============================
Cause he’s nice lol.
I’m not saying be big pun on the track but don’t tell me you get computers puting!!
================================
If you don’t understand that line, then you’re the one with the issue, not Cam.
That’s one of the major problems with Hip Hop now, record labels are more concerned with finding a cat with the right look, voice, and ’swag’; then looking for cats that can rhyme.
===================================
And Cam has the total package (Ayo!!)
Amp:
I was talking about Shail saying Hip Hop isn’t all about lyrics. As far as Cam goes, I like alot of the joints he put out recently. I don’t think he is the next King of NY; but he has been putting out some good joints. As far as your statement goes, you need to wash your hands for typing such flith then Pause!!!
lol
Killlaaaaa!!! I think y’all take ish way too seriously, maybe it’s because hip hop is the main avenue of discourse. Purists in any intellectual realm, especially pop related, tend to be kill joys. Not everyone is going to take the lane or uphold the standards of a Rakim or BIG or Pac or KRS1. Cam is pure entertainment.
That shit rings true for every rapper in dipset, rick ross, jeezy, etc
=======================================
quit hatin the South, BEEITCCHH!
Wait Phil, you don’t know what “permutations” means, and you’re still complaining that it doesn’t apply to Cam?
Seems a bit backwards to me. Especially since all of your -frooty tooti-boopy boopy complaining supports the excessive permutation adjective to a tee.
“That “hip-hop ain’t all about lyrics” line kills me everytime that is the worse cop out EVER! ”
^Its not a cop out its the truth. Hip hop might be all about lyrics to you and you can’t enjoy a track if the emcee isn’t droppin gems but that doesn’t mean its not hip hop or that it sucks, its just not for u.
” the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum”.
Thank god for the drums and those intrigued by the sound. Alot of music you might not enjoy (like the call and response and simple repetition of bounce music) isn’t meant to open your third eye its meant to be fun and its about having a good time. No more no less.
@ Jax: Dudes were comparing Cam’s previous efforts with his current work, which to me is senseless, that’s why I made my “back in the days” remark. Also, I don’t understand what metrics are being used if one says that Cam isn’t a “lyrical beast”, to me that’s a subjective argument. Still, if you ain’t feeling him you’re entitled to feel that way my ninja.
@ Phil: Cam uses language in a very colourful, odd way that may seem to be weird to some, but he has plenty of songs after “Confessions” that don’t follow that “puters putin’” rhyme scheme. His current tracks prove that.
Let’s be clear from the jump – STANKY STUFF is not just a STANKY LEGG remix. Changing the concept of the song altogether, Aspektz transformed the booming baseline and hypnotic keys of the GS Boyz smash single into a smokers anthem. With a frest twist and chronic delivery, Stanky Stuff begs the question, “What was he smoking?”
Aspektz, from the acclaimed True Thorobredz, has been working hard with a huge 2009 at the horizon. Locked in the lab, he is poised to release new material every week in anticipation of Academic Probation. Make sure to tune into http://www.aspektz.com for all the updates.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/576945461a247e61/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/576945461a247e61/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/576945461a247e61/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=624wjyW6Xuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=624wjyW6Xuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=624wjyW6Xuw
PS – Flea
EMAIL ME ABOUT SOME TORONTO SHIT BOUT TO POP OFF THIS WEEKEND
tedturnar AT gmail . com
REP FOR YA CITY FLEA DIZZLE
Go head and hate me hater
cuz I’m flyer than an aviator
well, you’ll get smacked with the radiator!
metaphores are lyrics, swaggarific wordplay and jokes are lyrics too.
Cam’ron’s the shit. That should be the end of the argument.
ppl used to be so down on this guy like 2-3 yrs ago. what happened? stuff he’s put out so far has been pretty standard. looking forward to crime pays nevertheless.
@ Thoro: No doubt my ninjz, look out for my email.
Cam is one of the most divisive figures in hip hop. Hilarious. It always seems like you love him or hate him. I don’t understand why comparisons always have to come into play. Like it’s a personal attack if somebody likes what you don’t. If you dig the music fuck it, you dig it. I’m 32 too, and love Rakim, Kane, BDP, etc. but why not enjoy this shit either? One thing Cam has been able to do on pretty much all his albums is choose dope beats. Purple Haze has crazy joints front to back with 2 or 3 misses. If only Nas had his ear.
This shit had me open from the first time I heard it. The melodic chanting and then the beat knocks. It was a visceral response. Didn’t even have a choice not to like it. But how can you not see the entertainment in “You unhappy scrappy, I got Pataki at me, bitches say I’m tacky daddy, range look like laffy taffy.” Looking forward to Crime Pays. Though Cookies and Apple Juice was a dud. What a waste for a title like that.
Goddamn Jesse – well put. Killa Cam is the best Cam song ever, and definitely a top 25 aughts track. Love it.
I wasn’t tryin’ to say lyrics don’t matter at all. I was just trying to say don’t act like the fact that Cam says stupid shit makes him a terrible rapper. He’s no Plies.
Look at MF DOOM. He spits some CRAZY shit, but that doesn’t mean everyone likes him. He’s got some of the craziest metaphors I’ve heard, but that doesn’t make him great in quite a few people’s eyes.
CAM IS THAT DOOD!!!
Jesse I’m right with you on this…. I’ve been blasting that track for the last fortnight non-stop….Even my girl digs it and she aint no Killa fan….quite simply, Its the realest since Kum Ba Yah.
*sings*
Killa cam, Killa cam cam killa killla killa cam, killa cam cam KILLA!
Killa is that nigga..point, blank period!
I dont know how, nor, what these so called ‘philly bols’ getting their information from, but as far as a ‘REAL PHILLY nigga’ is concerned, Killa has lasted thru difficult times ie: he came into the limelight,(right when B.I.G. was on his downfall) to help N.Y./east coast maintain its dominance over the industry, he survived the badboy(murda turned pretty boy) M.A.S.E. fiasco, & he established his own record label/street team while signing gold (jim jones) & platinum (julez santana) artists..
But, we are talking about lryics..So I say: “…if you are only hating on the, or only have the have the, ‘computers ‘putin’ line in your head, than you need to stop coming onto TSS comments boards and embarrassing yourself.” These cats have too much knowledge of hip-hop for you to argue/debate on how much an impact KILLA has had on the culture.
PS:
KILLA was one of, if not the only, nigga that hov’ didnt try to beef with, that should tell you lames something right there.
l come with facts, now you come with facts please, if you dont have facts please keep silent, & keep your stupid ass statements to you & ya lame ass niggaz! CHEA, thats from a ‘REAL’ PHILLY nigga!!
PSS:
‘Killa CAM’ was longer than that one bar!!
It may not be his best lyrical song, but it do have that chicken/ grinding slang, you just have to be a real street nigga to understand.
I bet.. BET … Phil secretly loved Nas’ last 3 albums and doesn’t understand why none went plat in a week.
Simply put Phil …. A lyricist that can’t pick a decent beat is not an entertainer. And that is what a rappers 1st job is UNLESS he chooses to be otherwise.
And you sir probably don’t appreciate older music either… stuff that didn’t sell back then you figure it just wasn’t hot.
hip-Hop is NOT all about lyrics… or has the words and teachings of KRS-1 been forgotten ??? 5 elements we need them all and one was B-boying aka dancing and guess what.. no drum you dance dumb
Cam is NOT Rakim…
but neither was Q-Tip…
…or Greg Nice…or The Beatnuts…or Biz Markie (BDK penned-lyrics notwithstanding…or Dana Dane…or Das EFX…etc, etc
I agree that some of THE BEST lyricism them crazily exceeds most of THE BEST ish out now, but let’s be real…. there were some clunkers, and ass tracks from back when that are CLASSICS that are simply ass/horrible from a lyrical standpoint….
Top Billin’ anyone???
Cam is generally fun to listen to…. and there are certainly hits and misses… He lost me for awhile, but his new tracks have him sounding like he has something to prove…
Shail brought up DOOM, and he and Cam are very similar in that they zig-zag, stagger, and get their Drunken Master on, all over a track, but they generally arrive at a point.
For me…
Lyricism AND beats = Gold
(self-explanatory)
Lyricism w/ sub par beats = Silver
(food for thought is always appreciated)
No/little lyricism w/ great beats = Bronze
(but that’s just me)
I don’t usually do is this but..(leave posts, I mean) I just noticed while listening to this track, Cam says “Ice like Winnipeg”. Yo, I’m from Winnipeg and that seems like an obscure reference, lol. Whuddup Killa! Killa reppin’ the icy up north.