Killa Cam is back. Two years after his 1998 gold debut album, “Confessions of Fire,” the 22 year old Harlem cat is scoring again. And he called his sophomore record after what life was all about for Cam’ron so far. Sports, Drugs, and Entertainment. He’s done it all and gone from high school All-American point guard to slinging rocks on his blocks in Harlem to becoming a rap star.
Cam started rapping with a certain other Harlem cat that went by the name of “Murder Mase,” now better known as Minister Mase. The two formed “Children Of The Corn” and trough Mase’ Bad Boy connections Cam got signed to Un Riviera’s Untertainment Records. Killa Cam’s second strike was already said to drop in 1999, then got pushed back for almost a year due to a new distribution deal of Undertainment Records. But S.D.E was worth waiting for.
Mainly produced by Darrell “Digga” Branch, the album has it all. From the aggressive street shit like “That’s Me” or “Let Me Know” containing a sample from ABC’s “Monday Night Football” to the uptempo club bangers like “Freak” produced by the Track Masters to the radio friendly “Do It Again” featuring Destiny’s Child singing the catchy hook. And talking about featured artists on S.D.E., besides Destiny’s Child, Cam could win over some other heavyweights to join him on the album. Prodigy is featured on “Losin’ Weight” delivering his typical apocalyptic street rhymes. Wu-Tang’s craziest Ol’ Dirty Bastard is screaming and cursing over “Violence.” And “Fuck You At” which, although produced by Digga, song s ounds like some Dirty South shit feaures Noreaga. But one of the best tracks on S.D.E. is the title track itself. Sports, Drugs & Entertainment features a sample from the late great Notorious B.I.G. on the hook rapping “’Cause the streets is a short stop/ Either you slingin crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.” Cam’ron tells us the tale of his life on the song once again breaking it down to those tree words, Sports, Drugs, and Entertainment.
S.D.E. is definitely a must from all Cam’ron fans. The diversity of the songs make this one a good album and prevents the former All-City baller’s nasal rhyme style from being a little monotonous after a while. And if you never liked Cam’ron anyway, just listen to the first track on S.D.E., where Cam tells you to plain “Fuck You.”