Jay-Z


AT millennium's end, the hottest rapper in pop music is Jay-Z. Since the release of his quadruple-platinum Vol. II … Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z has had an incredible string of urban radio hits: "Can I Get a …," "Hard Knock Life," "Jigga What, Jigga Who," "Money, Cash" … the list goes on and on. And unlike many of today's most popular rap artists, he built an extensive catalog of hits before making his mark on the charts and enjoys underground respectability as well as mainstream acceptance.

Longtime rap fans may remember Jay-Z as an associate of the Jaz, who had a minor hit in 1988 with "Hawaiian Sophie." Before that, he was Shawn Carter, a young man from Brooklyn's Marcy Projects. Though Carter was a promising student, his wild behavior led him to a vocational high school in Brooklyn, where he met future stars Christopher Wallace (the Notorious B.I.G.) and Trevor Smith (Busta Rhymes).

As a young MC, Jay-Z appeared on several underground mix tapes, and his work with the Jaz appeared promising. But with bills to pay, Jay-Z increasingly found himself mired in the criminal underworld, a life he had known since the age of 16. It wasn't until 1992 that he found the courage to leave the life of a drug dealer behind him

Cam'ron

Although still a relative newcomer, Cam'ron's ability to blend smooth grooves with fun tales of everyday life has been making big waves.

Born Cameron Giles in 1976 and raised in Harlem, N.Y., Cam'ron grew up loving basketball. Playing point guard for Manhattan Central High School, the young rapper was named All-City and All-American his senior year. Cam'ron entered the music scene with his friend and fellow teammate Mase. The duo, known as Killa Cam and Murder Mase, eventually went their separate ways, but it was Mase who introduced Cam'ron to the late Notorious B.I.G. Biggie and his partner, Lance Rivera, were so impressed by Cam'ron's skills that they made him the first artist signed to their label, Untertainment Records. Cam'ron quickly proved his worth, writing songs for Lil' Kim and releasing two singles: "Young Casanova," a duet with Lil Cease which appeared on the How To Be A Player soundtrack, and "357" from the Woo soundtrack.

Cam'ron released his debut album, Confessions of Fire, in July 1998, led off by "Horse and "Carriage," easily one of the hotter summer joints, and a reunion of Cam and Mase.

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