It seems like for the past few years, everyone in the hip-hop industry has been asking the same question.
“Where’s Cam’ron?”
Even Jim Jones, former Diplomats label-mate couldn’t come up with a clue, stating, “Finding Cam’ron is like finding Nemo.”
During the past two years, The Diplomats have had a falling out. This all started after Juelz Santana and Jim Jones appeared on stage with 50 Cent, who is currently beefing with Cam’ron. Cam’ron’s approach to the situation was a laid back recoil from the limelight and a reemergence to everyday life in Harlem, NY. However, everyday life changed while the beef and break up of Dipset was ongoing, due to Cam’s mother suffering from three strokes in a 24 hour period. Taking care of his mother and “doing Cam’ron” as Cam put it, led to the release of a “much more street sounding album.”
“Crime Pays,” which came out May 12, is an album dominated by Cam’ron and doesn’t featuring any big name artists. Still, this doesn’t take anything away from the album, Cam’ron proves he can hold it. The track, “My Job” shows a much more mature view of the recession then we’d expect from the guy who brought us “Hey Ma.” The music video for “My Job” was the first video Cam’ron has released in two years, and it gained such a positive response that it was deemed a single, even though it was not initially planned that way.
Other tracks such as “Get It In Ohio,” “Curve,” “Silky (No Homo),” “Cookin’ Up,” and “Cookies-N-Apple Juice” are also instant classics. Even though “Crime Pays” had to be released on Asylum Records, the music still has the same Dipset feel. If you are looking for a hip-hop album that is street, honest and hungry, look no further. Cam’ron has been found, and he is showing no signs of leaving again.
