November 7, 2005
The Cameron Giles Affair
When we first mentioned the non-fatal shooting of Cameron “Cam’ron” Giles in town two weeks ago, it appeared to be nothing more than, as Cam’ron’s manager Joe Sherman described it, “a botched carjacking.” It happened, it was reported, and since Killa Cam left Howard University Hospital in fine condition, most thought little of it afterwards.
Such things happen after all, and one could hardly be surprised when a rapper who is known almost equally for his ostentatious pink ensembles and lemon-red diamond incrustations as he is for his bawdy, Seussian lyrics is the victim of an attempted robbery. It’s hard for anyone, much less a multi-platinum rapper, to drive through any city in an ’06 Lamborghini wearing $200,000 worth of jewels without attracting some adverse attention.
But since that night, things have continued to develop. While initially thought to be a simple carjacking gone wrong, the Post reports that a police affidavit released from their ongoing investigation has lead to speculation that there were motives other than theft. Police as well as Cam’ron himself have hinted that his assailants, who managed to escape from their vehicle after being chased by a DC Protective Services officer, intended to kill Killa rather than take his car and jewelry. It is unknown who might be behind such a hit, but in an interview with MTV News, Cam’ron revealed his personal theory:
Not saying somebody is after me, but you gotta realize you in a position of power. It's like the modern day. ... It's like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. I hate to use them as examples, but they both got murdered and they both were great leaders. Right now [rappers are] in a position where people like [Minister Louis] Farrakhan and Dr. Ben [Chavis] call us up to speak to the youth. So when you a great leader in a position of power and about to go to a higher step, which I'm about to do, you always keep an eye open," he added. "I never put anything past anybody. I don't know if it was a hit, I don't know if it was a carjacking. Until everything comes to light, it's too early to [make assumptions].
Paranoia? Hubris? Both? Neither characteristics are foreign to most rappers, but Cam’ron has managed to carve a niche for himself in the industry by creating a unique persona as a hip-hop fop, not another gun-toting, beef-spewing 50 Cent. Cam'ron and his Dipset entourage have luxuriated in their larger-than-life displays of pastel opulence and sheer musical goofiness. While much of the lyrical content is the usual threadbare panegyric to fellatio and Range Rovers, Cam'ron has managed to dazzle audiences, and record charts, with his often silly delivery. Which brings us to the second, equally popular theory: the publicity stunt. While at the moment Cam’s career is hot enough not to need such a drastic move, as mentioned, Cam'ron's career has thrived on attention, so the timing of it all is a bit suspicious; in addition to performing at the Howard homecoming events, he was also promoting his upcoming film and album, “Killa Season,” which both drop in February. And in a surprising move from a man who was shot three times just days earlier, Cam’ron released a new track, a remix of “Get ‘Em Daddy,” recounting the harrowing attack:
“I'm Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage Bob Backlin/ah ah!/who they think they car jacking?/you dumpin then dump/I slump then I slump/they mad my car's like an elephant, the trunk in the front/see you doobie at/had six threw me back/a few they clap/but I ate those/them shits is scooby snacks/I ain't see stars/I'm a G paw/through the Lam in 6, drove to the ER”An expression of triumph and defiance in the face of a carjacking and/or music industry conspiracy, or a shameless cashing-in? We’ll leave you with Cam’ron’s take:
They're like, "Is this a publicity stunt 'cause his album is about to come out?" I'm a millionaire. Second of all, on top of that, I'm great without getting shot. I don't know anybody who's stupid enough to use getting shot as a publicity stunt.We realize there is very little of any importance happening in the world at the moment, so you can be sure that we will keep you privy to any new developments.
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Come on you fucking hip-hop heads. The genre must stop standing for the violence. CamRon, your tough talk after the incident suggests that you don't amount to shit more than the typical hypeman. Rather than celebrating that you escaped alive, you insisted on celebrating the bling you rack up and little more.
Hip-hop culture can be one of the most diverse (racially, socioeconomically, geographically, etc.) uniting forces today. Yet rather than bearing our souls to find similarity, so much of the shit we hear dwells on hate and difference.
Sure, life includes violence, and Art should be free to depict whatever it may. But is an entire genre in danger of becoming hell-bent on violence truly as beautiful as the progress that it could symbolize?
One Love.
Rap is officially dead. How could someone who spews so much useless garbage be called on by Farakkhan and Ben Chavis to be used as a role model for young kids today?? Corporations and money ruined rap and turned it into nothing but street teams, posters, and posers. I've listened to this clown's rhymes and he spits nothing more than 3rd grade level intellect at me. Whats worse is that this clown thinks that getting shot and surviving was a badge of honor. That he is some immortal greek god who cannot be destroyed. I would love to drive clownron in baby lambo to the final resting places for the 15,000 souls who weren't so fortunate.
I agree with Evan.
I must add the fact that the people in power (i.e. FCC Regulators, Viacom, etc) want to depict hip hop as negative and violent.
True hip hop is a very powerful force that threatens many people of authority in America. It's a shame that "special interest groups" have the power to control what YOU listen to in order to protect THEIR way of life.
It's very sad that the artists who preach love and diversity are pushed aside because they might give under-priveliged peoples courage.
Oh he looks so cute in his little pink suite and all the bling.
Kanye West's success has helped clue hip-hop heads back in to the fact that there's more to the genre than blunts, bling, and bitches. In fact, I think that's why 50 Cent took swipes at him...he knows his style is played, so he needs to do something to continue to look relevant. Plus, there's the movie he's gotta hawk.
Ultimately, it took a national disaster to jolt the public consciousness and make fans of all stripes realize that hip-hop just isn't speaking to the black community like it should be. It's a cartoon now. Actually, strike that..."Boondocks" is a real cartoon, and it does a better job of speaking to the issues than "Killa Cam" ever could.
Patience, guys. Kevin Federline's album will be out soon, and will presumably address all of your concerns.
Martin,
You imply that hip-hop should only speak to the black community--even though you focus on its power motivate the community unite and respond positively to extreme misfortune (both due to Katrina, and other preexisting social/economic disadvantages. However, hip-hop is not just a black thing. Especially in DC, as a white guy that LOVES hip-hop living in U St., way too many issues are made into a black v. white issue.
Hip-hop has appeal and influence across America, but perhaps most strongly among the lower and middle classes. As Americans, as people sharing a planet, as possible friends or family, we live together. And by living, working, and learning in a common place and sharing common goals, it will become so rediculously obvious that we are all best off when we pull together.
We have enough of an enemy in the hateful, the dishonest, the outright immoral. These people can be black, white, rich, or poor. But what they have in common is a fundamental disrespect for the happiness and wellbeing of others. If you want anyone (including yourself, or just members of your own ethnicity) to be happy, it is only logical that you extend this concern to everyone. We all want to be happy, and by coming together, we can make it happen.
Anyway, I want to refine these thoughts here, then keep typing. But I gotta work...to help the Gub-ment assist more people in paying for their college education
Read closer, Evan. Martin isn't saying "only" the black community - you said that. He's saying that rap needs to speak to the black community better/more. He's asserting that rap needs to be doing a better job at addressing the current needs of the black community. He's not excluding any community from participating in the dialogue.
At least that's how I read it.
also, hip hop IS black music. As is blues, jazz, most American-born musical forms. white kids want to participate but it's not their place to claim discrimination if anyone suggests that hip hop is black music or is for the black community. if you're white and think you are true hip hop, you should try to remember that you are a guest in someone else's home.
Yeah "s", well classical orchestral music is a white, European thing so Yo Yo Ma had better realize that he's a guest in my home, despite the fact that he knows far more about and has way more talent for playing the cello than I ever will. I mean, doesn't that sound a little ridiculous?
Yeah! And who the hell do the Beastie Boys think they are?
Hip-Hop belongs to white people too. They done just as much for hip-hop as black people have. Do you really think hip-hop would have the global appeal if weren't for the corporations, mtv, and hollywood?? Music and art can never be patented to one community. Thats what makes it so special in the first place. ALL CAN SHARE IN!!!
Beastie Boys rule!! Whoever knew that some jewish kids from NYC could be black?
I mean, they are, right? They're not?! I'm confused.
damn "s",
way to keep yourself down! i'm thinking that you dont know the history of hip hop if you think the way you wrote.
"someone else's house"? that is such racist, ignorant bullshit, it boggles the mind.
"its not their place to claim discrimination".... damn fool, you crazy.
i think cam didnt deserve to get shot hatein niggas if you are not killin the game like cam or makin the money he is then your gonna hate