Cam’ron’s Public Enemy #1 came out this week, following Lil’
Wayne’s example as a free Internet download. Considering how net-based Cam’s
marketing was for the album, we decided to hit the instant messenger and chat
about the new mixtape, available at www.myspace.com/killacamspace.
{grate 4}
Willy: All right, so of course we have to start with the
intro. Amazing.
Andres: I think Cam is making a point to come extra gully on
the intro. He does that pretty much the entire tape, which is surprisingly
consistent.
Willy: My favorite part is when he runs into the hip-hop
cops in Newark, and they ask him about a recent YouTube video. He said, “Why do
y’all keep watching YouTube.com? Why y’all on YouTube? They said, ‘That’s our
job to be on YouTube.’” His timing is brilliant; he’s a comedian.
Andres: I think the first real standout is “Just Us.” There
were two lines about giving girls Dirty Sanchez-es… don’t know what to make
of that. He even uses it in verb form: “Started to Sanchez her … ”
Willy: That track also highlights how the free mixtape can
be a great new medium for rappers — they don’t have to clear any samples. So
Cam’ron can rap about Dirty Sanchezes and whatever else over Journey’s “Don’t
Stop Believin’” without facing legal troubles.
What do you think of the two new rappers Cam seems to be
showcasing? I can’t really tell them apart, but I haven’t really been paying
attention.
Andres: I’d say Tom Gist is better than Penz, but they’re
really just supporting actors. They’re like Average Mixtape Rapper X.
Willy: And they take themselves far too seriously, which
isn’t what Dipset is all about.
Andres: It kind of turns me off. You don’t listen to Dipset
for harsh realities of inner-city life; I want to hear songs like “Cha Ching
Cha Ching.”
Willy: My least favorite part has to be Duke da God’s
incessant DJ drops. They’re pointless because this is not really a mixtape —
it’s an album with a free online release.
Andres: As if DJ drops weren’t pointless already. What I do
like is how Cam shows so many different sides of himself — like on “Weekend
Girl” — but somehow all those sides deal with swagger, smoking hella weed,
selling crack and havingsex.
Willy: But if you accept the premise that swagger, sex and
drugs are what hip-hop is really about, Cam’ron does it the best, by far.
Andres: Yeah — Cam entertains first and foremost.
Willy: As he tells the hip-hop cops on the intro, “This is
the WWF.” Just like a professional wrestler, Cam’ron knows exactly what he’s
doing.
