Editing Cam'ron (section)

==Biography==

===1976–1997: Early life and career beginnings===
Giles was born and raised in the [[East Harlem]] neighborhood of [[Upper Manhattan, New York City]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0SUEAAAAMBAJ | magazine = Vibe | title = Harlem Knight | last = Meadows-Ingram | first = Benjamin | date = August 2002 | access-date = March 20, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was raised by his mother, Fredericka Giles (July 10, 1955 – February 9, 2023). He went to school at the [[Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics]], where he met his longtime friends [[Mase]] and [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]]. He was a promising basketball player alongside Mase; however, he was unable to take advantage of scholarship offers due to his poor academic standing. Instead, he enrolled in a college in Texas, without even graduating from high school, but was expelled and returned to Harlem where he began selling drugs before starting his rap career. Giles was eventually introduced to [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] through his childhood friend Mase. B.I.G. introduced Giles to [[Lance Rivera]], who signed him to his label, Untertainment.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/LNLFPmnL6H0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131209061956/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLFPmnL6H0 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLFPmnL6H0 |title=Cam'ron StreetHeat Interview|website=[[YouTube]]|date=May 7, 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1004112/bio|title=Cam'ron|website=IMDb|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref>

He began his musical career in the mid-1990s, rapping alongside [[Big L (rapper)|Big L]], Mase, and his cousin Bloodshed, in a group called [[Children of the Corn (group)|Children of the Corn]]. After Bloodshed's death in a car accident on March 2, 1997, the group disbanded and the remaining members pursued solo careers.

===1998–2002: ''Confessions of Fire'', ''S.D.E.'' and ''Come Home with Me''===
Two years before Big L's murder in 1999, Cam'ron was introduced to [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] by Mase who was signed to [[Bad Boy Records]] at the time. Biggie was so impressed by Cam'ron that he introduced him to his partner Lance "Un" Rivera who signed Cam'ron to his Untertainment label, distributed by Epic Records. His debut album, ''Confessions of Fire'', was released a year later in July 1998 and included singles such as "3-5-7" (which was also featured in the movie [[Woo (film)|Woo]]), and "Horse and Carriage" featuring Mase, which reached the R&B Top Ten. The album achieved gold status and made the Top 10 of both the pop and R&B charts.

In 2000, Cam'ron was working with music executive [[Tommy Mottola]] and released his second album ''[[S.D.E.|S.D.E. (Sports Drugs & Entertainment)]]'' on Sony/Epic Records. With features from [[Destiny's Child]], [[Juelz Santana]], Jim Jones, [[N.O.R.E.]], and producer Digga, it included the relatively successful singles, "Let Me Know" and "What Means the World to You". The album reached Number 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Number 14 on the Billboard 200.

After demanding a release from Sony/Epic Records, Cam'ron signed with his childhood friend and new manager [[Damon Dash]] to [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] in December 2001, alongside artists such as [[Jay-Z]], [[Beanie Sigel]], [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]] and [[Memphis Bleek]]. A reported $4.5 million record deal was agreed upon with Damon Dash and his Roc-A-Fella partners Kareem Biggs and Jay-Z in the form of a record advance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.straferight.com/forums/general-chit-chat/176296-what-who-where-dipset.html |title=Cam'ron Signs to Rocafella |access-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331195753/http://www.straferight.com/forums/general-chit-chat/176296-what-who-where-dipset.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> His third and most successful album ''Come Home with Me'' was released in 2002 featuring guests such as Jay-Z, [[Beanie Sigel]], and [[Memphis Bleek]], and production from [[Just Blaze]], [[Kanye West]] and [[the Heatmakerz]]. It included the hit singles "[[Oh Boy (Cam'ron song)|Oh Boy]]" and "[[Hey Ma (Cam'ron song)|Hey Ma]]", which both featured [[the Diplomats]] newest member [[Juelz Santana]]. The album achieved platinum status and served as a stepping stone for Cam'ron's group the Diplomats to sign with Roc-A-Fella.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/3520578/a/Come+Home+With+Me.htm |title = Cam'ron - Come Home With Me Album}}</ref>

In 2002, Cam'ron went on to appear in the [[Damon Dash]] produced film, ''[[Paid in Full (2002 film)|Paid in Full]]'', in which he played one of three main characters alongside [[Mekhi Phifer]] and [[Wood Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimble |first=Julian |date=January 29, 2021 |title=How Cam'ron Turned 'Paid in Full' Into a Cult Legend |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/1/29/22255661/paid-in-full-camron-history-charles-stone-making-of |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref> In 2006 he started shooting his movie for his album titled ''[[Killa Season (film)|Killa Season]]''; the film would mark both Cam'ron's screenwriting and directorial debuts, as well as his return to acting. Killa Season was released to DVD on April 25, 2006, after a special two-day theatrical release.<ref name="theatre">{{cite web| url = http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=823| title = Cam'ron's Killa Season Hits Big Screens in Limited Engagement| access-date = October 4, 2006| date = March 30, 2006| publisher = XXL| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060829013252/http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=823| archive-date = August 29, 2006| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2003–2009: ''Purple Haze'', ''Killa Season'' and ''Crime Pays''===
In March 2003, Cam'ron teamed up with his fellow Diplomats Members [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]], [[Juelz Santana]], and [[Freekey Zeeky]] to release [[the Diplomats]]' debut double album, ''[[Diplomatic Immunity (The Diplomats album)|Diplomatic Immunity]]'', under Roc-A-Fella/Diplomat Records, which was quickly certified [[Oro album|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]. The album featured the lead single "Dipset Anthem", a remix to Cam'rons hit "Hey Ma", and the (street anthem) single "I Really Mean It", as well as featuring production from [[Kanye West]], [[Just Blaze]], and [[the Heatmakerz]]. A year later, the Diplomats released their second album, ''Diplomatic Immunity 2''.

On December 7, 2004, Cam'ron's fourth studio album, ''[[Purple Haze (album)|Purple Haze]]'', was released on [[Def Jam]]/[[Roc-A-Fella Records]]. It featured collaborations with Kanye West, [[Jaheim]], [[Twista]], Juelz Santana, and various other artists and ultimately reached gold status.<ref name=RIAA>[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH Searchable Database] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |date=June 26, 2007 }}. RIAA</ref> The album was also a critical success, being ranked 114th on [[Pitchfork Media]]'s Top 200 Albums of the first decade of the 21st century List, and 10th on [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]]'s Hip Hop's Best Albums of the Decade. However, after feeling that the album was poorly promoted and that his projects were not receiving enough attention, Cam'ron requested his release from [[Roc-A-Fella Records]].

On April 28, 2005, Cam'ron officially joined the [[Warner Music Group]] under the Asylum Records imprint.<ref name="asylum">{{cite web| url = http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4341| title = Cam'ron Leaves Roc-A-Fella For Asylum/Warner| access-date = October 4, 2006| author = Strong, Nolan| date = April 29, 2005| publisher = AllHipHop.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060422205213/http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4341 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = April 22, 2006}}</ref> He began work on what would be his first project for the new label. Cam'ron's fifth studio album, titled ''[[Killa Season]]'', was released on May 16, 2006, featuring production from long-term collaborators the Heatmakerz, Charlmagne and [[Ty Fyffe]], as well as others such as [[Alchemist]] and [[I.N.F.O.]] Along with the album, Cam'ron released his first film, in which he wrote, directed and starred in, also titled "Killa Season". Despite selling 112,000 units in the first week and debuting at number 2 on the charts, ''Killa Season'' failed to have the same sales strength as his two previous releases, but ''Killa Season'' became certified gold.

After the release of ''Killa Season'' and his feud with [[50 Cent]] in 2007, Cam'ron took a three-year hiatus from music after his mother suffered three strokes which left her paralyzed on her left side. He moved to Florida with her to set up her rehabilitation and therapy, and stayed there until she had fully recovered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sohh.com/camron-breaks-silence-on-absence-my-mom-had-three-strokes-in-one-day/|title=Cam'ron Breaks Silence On Absence, "My Mom Had Three Strokes In One Day"|date=March 11, 2015|access-date=March 11, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124217/http://www.sohh.com/camron-breaks-silence-on-absence-my-mom-had-three-strokes-in-one-day/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cam'ron's 2009 album, ''[[Crime Pays (Cam'ron album)|Crime Pays]]'' was released on Asylum/Diplomat Records, featuring the majority of the production handled by [[Skitzo]] and [[AraabMuzik]]. Although none of the singles from the album managed to chart, the album still reached number 3 on the [[Billboard 200]] but only sold 150,000 units, making it the lowest selling album of his career. In 2009 Cam'ron formed a new label, Dipset West and new group the [[U.N. (group)|U.N.]]

===2010–present: Mixtapes, EPs and collaborations===
In late 2009–early 2010, Cam'ron released a series of mixtapes hosted by [[DJ Drama]] called ''Boss of All Boses'' which featured his new upcoming artist [[Vado (rapper)|Vado]]. Cam'ron also released a collaboration album with his new group the [[U.N. (group)|U.N.]] which included himself and fellow [[Harlem]] rapper Vado titled ''[[Heat in Here Vol. 1]]''; the first single off the album was "Speaking Tongues" which peaked at No. 82 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|U.S. R&B]] charts. Cam'ron announced that he would be releasing a joint album with rapper Vado called ''[[Gunz n' Butta]]''; on April 19, 2011, the album was released on [[E1 Music]]. In 2013, Vado signed with [[We the Best Music Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22737/title.vado-confirms-signing-to-dj-khaled-s-we-the-best-imprint|title=Vado Confirms Signing To DJ Khaled's We The Best Imprint|author=HipHopDX|date=January 30, 2013|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111051954/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22737/title.vado-confirms-signing-to-dj-khaled-s-we-the-best-imprint|archive-date=January 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> after his personal friendship with Cam'ron eroded, although Vado maintained at the time that they still worked on a business level and had no animosity towards him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/vado-discusses-cam-ron-s-reaction-to-him-leaving-dip-set-news.4406.html|title=Vado Discusses Cam'Ron's Reaction To Him Leaving Dip Set|website=HNHH|date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> After three years Cam'ron and Jim Jones decided to mend their differences and start working together again for the third installment of the ''Diplomatic Immunity'' album along with fellow Diplomats members [[Juelz Santana]] and [[Freekey Zekey]]. Cam'ron announced that the Diplomats album's release would take place around Christmas 2010. The first promotional single featuring the reunited Diplomats members was titled "Salute"; it was produced by [[AraabMuzik]] and would later appear on [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]] album ''[[Capo (album)|Capo]]''.

In 2012 Cam'ron was featured on rapper/singer [[Wiz Khalifa]]'s second studio album ''[[O.N.I.F.C.]]'' on a song titled "The Bluff". Also In 2012 Cam'ron would be featured on rapper/singer [[Nicki Minaj]]'s second studio album ''[[Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded]]'' on a song titled "I Am Your Leader" along with rapper [[Rick Ross]].

In 2013 during an interview Cam'ron discussed his seventh upcoming studio album ''Killa Season 2'' stating that it will feature guest appearances from [[Dipset]], [[T.I.]], [[Nicki Minaj]], and [[Wiz Khalifa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2013/01/xxl-presents-the-35-most-anticipated-albums-of-2013-3/#5 |title=XXL Presents... The 35 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> On October 1, 2013, Cam'ron released his promotional mixtape for the album titled ''Ghetto Heaven Vol 1''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.datpiff.com/Camron-Ghetto-Heaven-Vol-1-mixtape.494468.html |title=Cam'ron - Ghetto Heaven Vol 1 // Free Mixtape @ |publisher=Datpiff.com |access-date=September 4, 2013 |archive-date=August 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811105058/http://www.datpiff.com/Camron-Ghetto-Heaven-Vol-1-mixtape.494468.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In January 2014, according to ''[[Complex Magazine]]'', Cam'ron and [[A-Trak]] were to team up for a collaborative EP to be titled ''Federal Reserve'' which would be executive-produced by [[Dame Dash]] and have featured appearances by [[Juelz Santana]] and [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/01/cam-ron-a-trak-federal-reserve-ep-announcement|title=Exclusive: Cam'ron and A-Trak Announce "Federal Reserve" EP|author=Dharmic X|work=Complex|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> In May, they put out the first single from the album, titled "Dipsh*ts", featuring commentary from [[Dame Dash]] and [[Juelz Santana]] on the hook and an accompanying official video. On February 11, 2014, Cam'ron along with fashion designer [[Mark McNairy]] revealed their "[[Cape]] line" during New York fashion week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/cam-ron-s-cape-line-with-mark-mcnairy-hits-ny-fashion-week-news.9300.html|title=Cam'ron's Cape Line With Mark McNairy Hits NY Fashion Week|first=Rose|last=Lilah|work=HotNewHipHop|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On October 20, 2014, via his Instagram Cam'ron revealed and released his "[[Ebola]] mask" stating on the caption "Ebola is no joking matter, so if u have to be safe, be fashionable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/20/camron-ebola-masks_n_6015118.html|title=Cam'ron Is Selling The 'Fashionable' Ebola Mask You Never Asked For|work=The Huffington Post|date=October 20, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> Cam'ron also has a fashion clothing line titled "Dipset USA" which is branded off his former label Diplomat Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.karmaloop.com/cm/dipset-usa-2014|title=Cam'ron and The Diplomats present Dipset USA Exclusively on Karmaloop.com|work=Karmaloop|access-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325022141/http://www.karmaloop.com/cm/dipset-usa-2014|archive-date=March 25, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> On July 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''[[1st of the Month Vol. 1|1st of the Month, Vol. 1]]'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-1-ep/890630799|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 1 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=July 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On August 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''[[1st of the Month Vol. 2|1st of the Month, Vol. 2]]'' EP, it included the single "So Bad" featuring [[Nicki Minaj]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-2-ep/899632683|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 2 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=August 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-bad-feat-nicki-minaj-yummy/899263822|title=iTunes - Music - So Bad (feat. Nicki Minaj & Yummy) - Single by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On September 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''[[1st of the Month Vol. 3|1st of the Month, Vol. 3]]'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-3-ep/911888083|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 3 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=September 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On October 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''[[1st of the Month Vol. 4|1st of the Month, Vol. 4]]'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-4-ep/921822831|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 4 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=October 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On November 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''[[1st of the Month Vol. 5|1st of the Month, Vol. 5]]'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-5-ep/935437075|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 5 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=November 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On December 1, 2014, Cam'ron released his ''1st of the Month, Vol. 6'' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-of-the-month-vol-6-ep/947478144|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month, Vol. 6 - EP by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=December 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On December 11, 2014, Cam'ron announced that his next studio album will not be a sequel to his fifth album [[Killa Season]] but will be a sequel to his critically acclaimed fourth studio album ''[[Purple Haze (album)|Purple Haze]]'' titled ''Purple Haze 2''; Cam'ron also announced that this would be his final album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/cam-ron-to-retire-after-purple-haze-2-drops-news.13198.html|title=Cam'ron To Retire After "Purple Haze 2" Drops?|first=Jessie|last=Schiewe|work=HotNewHipHop|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref> On December 16, 2014, Cam'ron would release his compilation ''1st of the Month: Box Set (Deluxe Edition)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/1st-month-box-set-deluxe-edition/948975052|title=iTunes - Music - 1st of the Month: Box Set (Deluxe Edition) by Cam'ron|work=iTunes|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref>

On January 1, 2015, DJ [[Funkmaster Flex]] announced via his Instagram that he had spoken to fellow Diplomats members Cam'ron, [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]] and [[Juelz Santana]] about an upcoming Diplomats mixtape which included [[Freekey Zeekey]]. He also stated that he would be hosting the mixtape along with [[DJ Khaled]], [[Swizz Beatz]] and [[DJ Mustard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dipset-reportedly-reuniting-for-new-mixtape-news.13438.html|title=Dipset Reportedly Reuniting For New Mixtape|first=Rose|last=Lilah|work=HotNewHipHop|date=January 2015|access-date=March 11, 2015}}</ref>

In July 2016, Cam'ron announced an album called ''Killa Pink'' and a signature line of Reebok shoes: the Flea 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/camron-announces-new-album-killa-pink-news.22778.html? |title=Cam ron to release album in conjunction with sneaker line |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |website=HNHH |date=July 11, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref>