Rather see the above links in your inbox or feed reader?
Subscribe to our Links for hand-picked items from around the web
Cam’Ron – “Get ‘Em Girls” · by Nikhil P. Yerawadekar
Around the time I stopped paying close attention to new developments in hip-hop (it was around two years ago), the Diplomats were one of the hottest topics on the internet. It seemed as though every other week, another little bastard from their crew was putting out a mixtape that got ripped and uploaded faster than it could possibly hit the streets. Each minor, borderline unprofessional collection of gibberish they came out with added fuel to the fire of internet debates ranging from heated accusations of homosexuality aimed at just about anyone to high-minded pontifications on intentionality in art.
To a much greater degree than the mixtapes, Cam’Ron’s 2004 Purple Haze album had a ton of hype surrounding it, both from real life people in New York City and faceless people on the message boards I went to. As anyone should have been able to predict, it was too long, had too many skits and too many over-the-top attempts at commercial or crossover success. I recall the discussion behind the record dying out sometime between its internet leak and its official release date—even for those in love with the Dip Set style, Purple Haze was unfocused and mediocre, basically not worth talking about as an album. Of course, these qualities are not at all unique to commercial hip-hop albums of the new millennium. What makes Purple Haze notable is that if you’re willing to fast forward through some really transparent pandering and laziness, you can find mountains of hilarious lyrical gold from Cam’Ron.
The Dip Set/Byrd Gang Volume 1 edition of “Get ‘Em Girls,” presumably the first release of the song, features some really great production. It sounds like the work of the Heatmakerz, judging by the doubletime hi-hats and the overall thin and unmatched sound of the beat, although it is tough for me to confirm this online (and no I don’t own the CD—would somebody like to come through with the correct information?). The super-dramatic choral sample that underlies the production stands out against the busy drums, and the overall affect of the two combined is a bit awkward. By itself, it isn’t much, but the beat is perfect for Cam’Ron, whose approach to rhyming on the song is unrepentantly silly.
The version of “Get ‘Em Girls” that was officially released as a single and a track on Purple Haze is nearly identical to the one on the mp3 above in composition, but the choral sample seems to have been reworked, presumably for sample clearance reasons. Although it is louder in the mix and is supported by new low-frequency synth tracks, the original presentation makes more sense. With a less prominent beat, there is greater emphasis on the vocals, from the detailed stupidity of the verses to the punch-ins, which make the bulk of the song quite catchy.
Cam’Ron’s lyrics on “Get ‘Em Girls” are alternately esoteric and accessible (the most clear example being the “I’m gettin’ money niggaaaa” call-and-response in the second verse). He is often criticized for saying any old thing just to maintain his rhyme schemes, but it’s not like he ever tries to hide it. In fact, he flaunts his addiction to the NYC mixtape rhyme structure, and uses it as a justification for rhyming “boom boom room” with “vroom vroom.” Anyone who knows his earlier material (I’m thinking specifically of Children Of The Corn shit) knows he’s capable of making sense the way rappers are often expected to, but without the inane lyrics, this song would have very little going for it. Cam’Ron is in fine form on this song, and if his lazy, too-comfortable flow doesn’t cause your mind to wander, you will be laughing your ass off the whole way through.
Cam’Ron’s music simply doesn’t warrant the kind of awe that I have for other hip-hop goofs like ODB, but I do wonder if he steps back and realizes just how retarded the shit he writes is, and how much more appealing it is because of its retardation. I feel like it is moot for me to consider this since his persona is ridiculously deadpan and he would never speak about something he did negatively. It’s strange too, because it’s not like he isn’t consciously and admittedly cynical—does anybody else remember the Dip Set Sizzurp liqueur? We are used to a bizarre representation of authenticity in commercial hip-hop, where a rapper openly treats his albums, his overall artistic product, as something to be marketed, but somehow his rhymes are still expected to be true to his self, or in some other way “real.” I think you would have to be kind of an idiot to be comfortable with these circumstances, and it makes sense then that Cam’Ron’s dummy rhymes make for some of the most interesting pop hip-hop in recent years. People certainly seem to like talking about him, whatever their opinions of him might be. But whether it’s a front or not, when I listen to “Get ‘Em Girls,” I can’t help believing that Killa Cam is truly retarded and somehow brilliant at the same time.
Comments for "Cam’Ron – “Get ‘Em Girls”"
“truly retarded and somehow brilliant at the same time”
Kind of like this site.
— Rafi Apr 4, 05:55 PM
I suppose its vaguely referenced as C.O.C. shit, but this post seems to completly disregard Confessions in Fire and Sports, Drugs and Entertainment. To me, those two albums are proof that if we had to choose Cam is more brilliant than retarded. I would love to see a post discussing those first two concept heavy, orthodox New York rap albums in comparison with the swaggering, mush mouth, purple sporting, entrepeneurial, cartoonish polarizing figure Cam reincarnated himself as when he returned with Come Home with Me on Roc. I always took it as some type of nihilistic fuck the industry bullshit he had been caught up in before, Im going to take it in a completly different direction. He may be on some goofy shit but I wouldn’t dismiss him as a goof. Love it or hate it, it’s definitly a style all his own.
— Abe Beame Apr 4, 06:50 PM
For me, it’s a tradeoff. I find what he’s doing lately to be more original and more interesting than “357” and stuff like that, but he was definitely more consistent and made better music in the late nineties. I have Confessions Of Fire, it’s a cool album, but it doesn’t really stand out too well against other commercial records from that time period (Harlem World, It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot). I think it’s good, not great… frankly, kind of blahzay.
The dummy shit is kind of in a category of its own for me, which I think is interesting, though unfortunate. Although Cam’Ron got worse with time just like everybody else, he at least got worse with gusto.
— Nikhil P. Yerawadekar Apr 4, 07:22 PM
I always thought of Dipset as the new No Limit.
— sooch Apr 4, 07:47 PM
357 is hardly indicative of the shit on that album, I guess its a matter of opinion…...but as a rule, I would never name check Ma$e or DMX to prove a point.
— Abe Beame Apr 5, 12:32 AM
Those three records are in the same style/category as far as I’m concerned. I really don’t see Cam being in any way above Mase or DMX. Maybe his writing was more complex, but it’s not really that amazing either.
— Nikhil P. Yerawadekar Apr 5, 01:20 AM
What’s wrong with Purple Haze? Where’s the pandering? The only song I don’t care for is Hey Lady. Even Girls gets way much too hate.
— Tray Apr 5, 02:13 AM
Cam’s lack of self-knowledge of his ridiculousness adds to his oddball appeal I feel. He is parodied so accurately on the Tru Life-Tru York mixtape that it could actually be him.
— calum Apr 5, 08:27 AM
Skitzo produced the song. the sample is “Carmina Buranda” by Apocalyptica.
— giantSupreme Apr 5, 08:40 PM
Carmina Burana is a composition by Carl Orff. It could have been any number of choirs singing it.
— David Apr 7, 04:43 AM
it’s produced by Kanye West… maybe you’ve heard of him… and maybe getting the production info is kinda neccessary for a post like this
— Max Apr 10, 10:10 PM
what was so necessary about it?
not getting it worked out fine. the only person who cares just posted the info.
— rafi Apr 10, 10:35 PM
Cam’ron is a B-Movie rapper.
— sankofa Apr 14, 05:34 PM
justta nother dum nigga
— james Apr 19, 10:09 PM
Damn it !!! I did that damn beat not kayne
just cause he was in the video dont mean shit
— Skitzo Mar 25, 07:44 AM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://mortgagecalculato-r.com
— Betty Sep 8, 08:19 AM