The Review

Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Amazon.com

"Public Enemy #1"
Cam'ron
Dipsetmixtapes.com
Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

Many rap fans were told to meet Cam'ron, a veteran and beloved Harlem rapper, in front of Harlem's Apollo Theater late Wednesday night. They showed, as a combination of Hip-hop heads, Dipset (the name of Cam's crew) faithfuls and New York hipsters received their copies of his new 38-track, double-album mixtape, "Public Enemy #1," out of a pink Range Rover.

Cam never showed. No one seemed to care.

Don't expect any complaints soon because when Cam'ron releases something - mixtape, proper album, film - it's an event. And while "Public Enemy #1" won't win over the haters, it is one of the strangest, and most intriguing, records of the year.

Cam'ron is a rare Hip-hop entity - an MC who is talented and funny. His last album, 2006's "Killa Season," lacked the flirtatious, absurd attitude that made his 2004 release "Purple Haze" an instant classic. But now, after a summer disappearance, Cam seems ready to laugh again.

His three-month respite, which he attributes to his mother becoming sick, did not affect his humorous wordplay. Whether he's discussing work ethic ("I'm like Biggie Smalls / Eye lazy") or putting enemies in their place ("I start wildin' on you / I tell you it won't be polite / You mad I'm stylin' on you / Duck down, weave the right / Pull the gat out, two shots / Peace, goodnight" from "Why They"), it's exhilarating just to try and keep up with Cam's tongue twisters.

Good thing, because "Public Enemy #1" has horribly generic beats. There's usually a twinkling piano, chintzy drums and staccato synthesizer fills. Luckily for Cam, many of his fans would listen to him rhyme over a metronome.

Although his latest release is too long and features too many guest verses (newcomers Tom Gist and Penz are featured on 14 songs), it serves its purpose by reminding listeners that Cam'ron is still a loud, annoying and enjoyable force in rap.

For further proof, listen to mixtape closer "Weekend." Cam, a natural Casanova, attempts a courtship with an unnamed woman. We're never told if his game works, but listening to it in motion is satisfying in itself: "I'm a troublemaker / Yeah, yeah, some say / You model material, you need a runway / So let's run away / We could hit the runway / Round-trip, not a one way / Come play / Rio Friday, Spain on Saturday / Back on Sunday, make work Monday." It's only conjecture but she probably took the bait, just like the rest of us.

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