The Roc Boys In The Building: JAY-Z & Cam’ron Have Ended Their Beef (Video)
Last night (April 26), JAY-Z performed his “B-Sides 2” concert at New York City’s newly-reopened Webster Hall. It was the first time the Manhattan venue hosted a Hip-Hop show since Action Bronson took the stage in the summer of 2017.
Following his 2015 rarities set, Jay performed songs from his catalog that are rarely, if ever, heard at his concerts. The affair included performances of Black Gangster soundtrack inclusion “This Life Forever,” Memphis Bleek 534 album inclusion “Dear Summer,” and “Show You How,” among others. Jay performed a series of freestyles, along with displays of his feature songs from albums by The Notorious B.I.G. (“I Love The Dough”), and Puff Daddy & The Family (“Young G’s”). The night also included an extremely significant and rare performance of Cam’ron’s 2002 collaboration “Welcome To New York City.”
Jay Z brought out Cam at Webster Hall #iconic #OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/SVz0Tknh4N
— Divalicious (@Lanini8650) April 27, 2019
The Blueprint: How 1 Kanye West Beat Tape Changed Roc-A-Fella Records Forever (Audio)
During the concert, Cam’ron took the Webster Hall stage, joining Jay and a live band for the performance, prompting an eruption of applause from the crowd. The moment happened more than 15 years after the two New York City artists were in a perceived beef shortly after Cam’ signed to Jay’s Roc-A-Fella Records.
In last night’s display Jay and Cam’, wore sport-jackets, delivered their beloved verses from the Just Blaze-produced Come Home With Me single that also featured vocals from the currently-incarcerated Juelz Santana.”Nas is my brother, Cam’ is my brother” JAY-Z declared to the crowd after the song. Nas, who was the counterpart to one of the biggest beefs of Jay’s career, appeared on stage for 10 minutes, with a medley of “Dead Presidents,” “The World Is Yours,” and the pair’s 2007 collaboration, “Success.”
Cam’ron Replies To Ma$e’s Disses Point For Point. He’s Serving Beef Raw For Dinner (Audio)
Cam’s third album (and first with the Roc) debuted at #2. It marked The Diplomats’ leader’s first platinum album, following two LPs at Undeas Entertainment/Sony Records, under a contract through Biggie’s close friend (and onetime JAY-Z foe), Lance “Un” Rivera. The year prior, Jay had pleaded guilty to stabbing Rivera in the stomach in 1999 at Times Square’s Kit Kat Club. Notably, in “Welcome To New York City,” Jay references the incident (which allegedly had to do with bootlegging Vol 3: The Life & Times Of S. Carter). After the misdemeanor plea, Jay served no jail time, but was ordered to several years of probation.
Following Cam’s addition to and success at the Roc, the label founded by Jay, Damon “Dame” Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke was extremely high-profile in the early 2000s. Tensions reportedly escalated over several incidents with Cam’ and Dipset at the label. Notably, Dame Dash allegedly made Cam’ a label vice president without conferring with Jay. There have also been accounts of snatching beats and stealing parking spots from that period. Cam’ron would release Purple Haze at the label in 2004, as well as the Diplomats’ double-disc debut.
Jim Jones Gets Teary Detailing His Sacrifices For Cam’ron & Dipset (Video)
On 2006’s Killa Season, Cam’ron went in on his former employer on “You Gotta Love It,” with other barbed lyrics to follow. Throughout this period, Cam’ron and other members of The Dips were at times managed by Dame Dash, Jay’s former Roc partner and manager. By 2010, Cam’ron announced that he had no problems with Hov. However, a “Toast Freestyle” by Cam’ and Jimmy later that year suggested otherwise. However, on “Come And Talk To Me,” he did correct Jay’s 2013 “Pound Cake” lyrics alongside Drake that he felt he and Jay made each other millions of dollars during the Roc period, not a one-way relationship.
Last night, Jim Jones also took the stage for “I Really Mean It.” Jones signed with Roc Nation management in 2017, years after his own storied tensions with Jay.
View this post on Instagram
Jay Z x Camron x Jim Jones “I REALLY MEAN IT” whoaaaaa #BSides2 #DIPSET x #Rocafella
Just Blaze Says He’s Given M.O.P. All The Beats Intended For Their Roc-A-Fella Album
Notably, both JAY-Z and Cam’ron each appeared on 1995 Big L’s debut, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous LP.