Cameron Giles (born February 4, 1976), better known by his stage
name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated, American
rapper and actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats
(also known as Dipset), and also of The U.N. (Us Now) group.
Cameron Giles was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He went to
school at Manhattan Center High School, where he would meet his long
time friends Mase and Jim Jones. He was a promising basketball player
alongside Mase, however, he was unable to take advantage of various
scholarship offers due to a poor academic record. He instead enrolled
in a college in Texas, even without graduating from high school,
but soon dropped out and returned to Harlem where he began selling
drugs before starting his rap career.[1] He began his musical career
in the mid 1990s, rapping alongside Big L, Mase and his cousin Bloodshed
in a group called Children Of The Corn. However, after Bloodshed's
death in a car accident in 1997, the group disbanded and the remaining
members continued solo careers.
1998: Epic Records & Confessions of Fire
A year before Big L's murder in 1999, Cam'ron was introduced to
The Notorious B.I.G. by Mase who was signed to Bad 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 in July 1998 and included singles
such as "3-5-7" (which was also featured in the movie Woo),
and "Horse and Carriage" featuring Mase which reached the
R&B Top Ten and just missed out on reaching the pop Top 40. The
album achieved gold status and made the Top 10 of both the pop and
R&B charts.
2000: S.D.E.
In 2000, Cam'ron was working with music executive Tommy Mottola
and released his second album S.D.E. (Sports Drugs & Entertainment)
on Sony/Epic Records. With features from Destiny'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.
2001-2002: Roc-A-Fella & Come Home With Me
After demanding a release from Sony/Epic Records, Cam'ron signed
with his childhood friend and new manager Damon Dash to Roc-A-Fella
Records in 2001, alongside artists such as Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Freeway
and Memphis Bleek. A reported $4.5 million record deal was agreed
upon with and Damon Dash and his Roc-A-Fella partners Kareem Biggs
and Jay-Z in the form of a record advance.[2] His third and most
successful album Come Home With Me was released in 2002 featuring
guests such as Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and Memphis Bleek, and production
from Just Blaze, Kanye West and The Heatmakerz. It included the hit
singles Oh Boy and Hey Ma which both featured The Dipmomats newest
member and protégé; Juelz 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.[3]
2003-2004: The Diplomats (Dipset) & Purple Haze
In 2003 Cam'ron teamed up with his fellow Diplomats Members Jim
Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zeeky to release the Diplomats'
debut double disc album, Diplomatic Immunity, in 2003 under Roc-A-Fella/Diplomat
Records, which was quickly certified gold by the RIAA. 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 boasting production from Kanye West, Just
Blaze, and The Heatmakerz. A year later, the Diplomats released their
second album, Diplomatic Immunity 2. Although not as successful as
their debut , it still was boosted to gold status. Around this time
in the height of his mainstream fame, Cam'ron was known for popularizing
the color pink. During this period, Cam'ron was always seen wearing
pink clothing and even bought an all pink Range Rover which can be
seen in his video for "Killa Cam".[4] Cam'ron's fourth
studio album, Purple Haze, was released on December 7, 2004 on Def
Jam/Roc-A-Fella Records. It featured collaborations with Kanye West,
Jaheim, Twista, Juelz Santana, and various other artists and ultimately
reached gold status.[5] The album was also a critical success, being
ranked 114th on Pitchfork Media's Top 200 Albums of the first decade
of the 21st century List, and 10th on Rhapsody'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 the attention they
deserved, Cam'ron requested his release from Roc-A-Fella Records.
2005-2006: Asylum Records & Killa Season
On April 28, 2005, Cam'Ron officially joined the Warner Music Group
under the Asylum Records imprint.[6] He began work on what would
be his first project for the new label. Cam'ron's fifth studio album,
entitled Killa Season, was released on May 16, 2006 featuring production
from long term collaborators The Heatmakerz, Charlmagne and Ty Fyffe,
as well as others such as Alchemist and I.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 #2 on the charts,
Killa Season failed to have the same sales strength as his two previous
releases, failing to reach gold or platinum status. As of now, however,
Killa Season has been certified Gold by the gold
2006-2009: Three Year Hiatus
After the release of Killa Season, and his infamous beef with 50
Cent in 2007, Cam'ron took a three year hiatus from music after his
mother suffered 3 strokes, leaving 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.
2009: Crime Pays & Dipset West
Cam'ron's 2009 album, Crime Pays was released on Asylum/Diplomat
Records, featuring the majority of the production handled by Skitzo
and AraabMuzik. Although none of the singles managed to chart, the
album still reached Number 3 on the Billboard 200 but only sold 150,000
units, making this the lowest selling album of his career. In 2009
Cam'ron formed his new label Dipset West & his new group The
U.N..
2010-Present: Killa Season 2, Gunz 'N' Butta & Diplomat Album
In late 2009/early 2010, Cam'ron released a series of mixtapes hosted
by DJ Drama called "Boss of All Boses" which featured his
new upcoming artist Vado. He has also released an album with Vado
entitled Cam'ron & The U.N. Presents: "Heat in Here" Vol.
1 the first single off the album was "Speaking Tongues" which
peaked at number 82 on the U.S. R&B charts. Cam'ron announced
that he would be releasing a joint album with his new group The U.N.
called "Gunz n' Butta". After 3 years Cam'ron & Jim
Jones have decided to start working on a third installment of the
Diplomatic Immunity album along with other Diplomat artists such
as Juelz Santana & Freekey Zekey. Cam'ron announced that the
Diplomat album's release will take place around Christmas 2010. The
first single featuring the reunited Diplomat members is called "Salute".
Produced by upcoming Diplomat producer AraabMuzik, the track is rumored
to appear on Jim Jones next album Capo.[7]
Other Ventures
Film/Acting Career
In 2003, Cam'ron went on to appear in the Damon Dash produced film,
Paid in Full, in which he played one of three main characters alongside
Mekhi Phifer and Wood Harris.[8] In 2006 started shooting his movie
for his album entitled Killa 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]
Controversy
Jay-Z
Although there were rumors of a beef between the two emcees, Cam
set this off in a track on "Killa Season" called "You
Gotta Love It (Jay-Z Diss)" featuring ex-Dipset member Max B.
In the song, Cam'ron takes jabs at Jay-Z's age, his biting and his
current girlfriend. On Jay-Z using The Notorious B.I.G rhymes, "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 uses another
song "Swagger Jacker (Biter Not a Writer)" to highlight
the many songs Jay-Z has borrowed lines from to claim it's no wonder
Jay-Z is no longer in the game. In the next issue of XXL, Cam'ron
explained the reason why the beef originated began when Jay-Z went
away Dame Dash was talking about making him the CEO & President
of Roc A Fella Records. But when Jay-Z came back & Got the positions
he didn't like it. But in 2010 Cam'ron stated he doesn't have any
issues with Jay-Z because he respects his hustle.
50 Cent
On February 1, 2007, Cam'ron & 50 Cent had a live argument on
The Angie Martinez Show on Hot 97 radio. Jackson commented that Koch
Entertainment was a "graveyard", meaning major record labels
would not work with their artists.[10] Cam'ron then ridiculed the
record sales of G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Mobb Deep by stating
that Jim Jones outsold their albums despite being signed to an independent
label and that his group, The Diplomats, had a distribution deal
from several labels.[10] Both rappers released "diss" songs
with videos on YouTube. 50 Cent suggested in "Funeral Music" 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" with Young Buck. Since 2009, the beef
between the two has seemed to calm down.
Jim Jones
During this time Cam'ron was not speaking to his fellow Diplomat
members Juelz Santana and Jim Jones, leading to speculation that
the group had 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 its better on my resume. I wish him the best." [11]
But After 3 years of not speaking, Cam'ron & Jim Jones mended
their differences in April 2010.
Juelz Santana
After it was evident to the fans that The Diplomats had separated
and were no longer on speaking terms, Cam'ron explained in an interview
that he was scared for Juelz Santana stating he was "addicted
to the drink Sizzurp" and even talked to his mother about his
possible "addiction". Juelz responded back by asking why
Cam would say false accusations. Additionally, with Dipset seeming
to be broken up and diminished, Cam'ron decided to sell Juelz Santana's
contract from Diplomat Records to Def Jam Records for $2,000,000.
However, Juelz said there were no hard feelings between the two and
have since reconciled.
Kanye West & Dame Dash
Both Cam'ron & Jim Jones took out their frustrations on former
label-mate Kanye West & former CEO Dame Dash by releasing a song
entitled "Toast" rhyming over Kanye West's song "Runaway".
Saying "Kanye you a sucka nigga took ya beat now come get it
back". Dame Dash: "so my attitude fuck a nigga, Sucka Jigga
how you gone live with that." Despite this diss-track, when
asked in an interview on Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex of his take
on the subject, Kanye responded by saying "Man, you don't understand
how much I love Dipset. But it's so necessary; Dipset is so necessary." Additionally,
Kanye said he understands that people don't agree with the way he
does certain things and he, himself, doesn't even agree with some
of the stuff he's done. Currently, neither Cam nor Jim have responded
back.
Personal life
Carjacking/Stop Snitching Campaign
On October 23, 2005, Cam'ron was leaving a nightclub in Washington
D.C., having performed the day before at Howard University. Whilst
and stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of New York and
New Jersey Avenue shortly after midnight, a passenger of a nearby
car threatened Cam'ron to "give up" his 2006 Lamborghini.
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 fled and 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. On April 22, 2007,
Cam'ron was interviewed on 60 Minutes about the incident. He stated
that he does not know who shot him. He also stated that he would "not
help the police" try to locate the shooter saying he is "not
a snitch" and helping the police would probably hurt his record
sales.[12] Cam'ron was also questioned on 60 Minutes about the "Stop
Snitchin'" campaign. When asked by Anderson Cooper if he would
tell the police if a serial killer was living next to him, Cam'ron
replied "I would probably move," but wouldn't inform the
police. Cam'ron has had contact with the police in the past. According
to The Smoking Gun, New York Police Department records indicate that
Giles filed a police report with police after he was assaulted at
a Harlem playground in 1999.[13]
Discography
Main article: Cam'ron discography
Official studio albums
* Confessions of Fire (1998)
* S.D.E. (2000)
* Come Home with Me (2002)
* Purple Haze (2004)
* Killa Season (2006)
* Crime Pays (2009)
* Killa Season 2 (TBA) [14]
Collaboration Albums
* 2003: Diplomatic Immunity (with The Diplomats)
* 2004: Diplomatic Immunity 2 (with The Diplomats)
* 2010: Cam'ron & The U.N. Presents: "Heat in Here" Vol. 1 (with
Vado)
* 2011: Guns 'N' Butta (with The U.N.)
* 2011: Diplomatic Immunity 3 (with The Diplomats)
Filmography
* Paper Soldiers (2002)
* Paid in Full (2002)
* State Property 2 (2005)
* Killa Season (2006)
* Cousin Bang (TBA)
* Killa Season 2 (TBA)