25 Things You Didn't Know About Cam'ron

Hip-hop's appreciation for Killa Cam makes him a cult icon, but there are still plenty of under-the-radar facts about the Dipset boss.

March 25, 2013

Image via Complex Original

Today is the 10-year anniversary of The Diplomats' landmark debut, Diplomatic Immunity. Although the album was certainly a crew effort, it was anchored by one star in particular: Cam'ron.

Juelz Santana and Jim Jones have had a slew of great moments in their own right, and they also play an important role in the many ways Dipset changed hip-hop, but when considering cultural, commercial, and critical impact, no one beats Killa Cam.

We decided to take a look back and unearth some lesser known info about Cameron Giles. There's everything from the fact that he once moonlighted as an interior decorator to the details behind his relationship with Biggie. These are 25 Things You Didn't Know About Cam'ron.

25 Things You Didn't Know About Cam'ron

Hip-hop's appreciation for Killa Cam makes him a cult icon, but there are still plenty of under-the-radar facts about the Dipset boss.

When Cam'ron didn't take rap seriously, Big L convinced him to.

Cam'ron had a bad lisp as a kid, so he admired Kool G Rap because he had a lisp, too.

When Ma$e introduced Cam'ron to Biggie, Biggie wanted to sign him. Cam wanted $250,000 to do it.

Biggie introduced Cam'ron to Lance "Un" Rivera. After Biggie died, Cam'ron asked Un about a deal at the video shoot for "We'll Always Love Big Poppa."

After bumrushing executives at Epic before S.D.E.'s release, Cam'ron was banned from the Sony building.

Cam'ron was originally supposed to appear on The O'Reilly Factor on his own, but Dame Dash insisted on joining him.

When Cam'ron tried to sell his house, real estate agents were so impressed with his interior decorating that they offered him a gig. He was quoted as saying, "I did one job for about $50K. I had a $100K budget and it turned out great."

During a trip to Costa Rica, Cam'ron and Jim Jones got lost for four hours and worried that they'd never make it back.

Cam'ron wrote Lil Kim's "Crush On You" for $5,000.

In high school, Cam'ron was a Top 25 All American basketball player.

He claims that he used to son Rafer Alston and Stephon Marbury on the court.

After going 25-0 in the regular season, his team lost in the first round of the playoffs. Cam was too depressed to go back to school and went to Albany (where his girl was going to college) to sell drugs.

He eventually returned to school at Navarro Junior College, but missed his opportunity at the University of Miami.

Cam'ron claims he bought his GED for $600 to make his mom happy.

When Cam'ron was offered the position of President at Rocafella, he asked for a $500,000 salary, but couldn't get Def Jam to agree.

Prior to Dipset's temporary break-up, Jim Jones actually suggested that they break up just to make money from a reu

Back when Ma$e used to strong-arm his way into Bad Boy press trips, Cam'ron would tag along.

Their relationship fell apart when Ma$e asked for $40,000 to appear in the video for "Horse & Carriage."

In the year 2000, Cam'ron quit drinking after suffering through a hernia and an ulcer.

Oh Boy cologne was just an idea for "Oh Boy" video, but when people at the shoot asked about the cologne, Cam decided to try selling it.

In the late '90s, Cam'ron owned a Bronx liquor store with his mother.

Cam'ron disappeared after his 50 Cent feud because he went down to Miami to take care of his ailing mother when she suffered three strokes which left her partially paralyzed.

When Cam'ron got shot, his friend Huddy 6 was riding shotgun with him.

Despite his support of the Stop Snitchin' mantra on 60 Minutes, Cam'ron filed a police report after being assaulted in 1999.

Jim Jones says Kanye promised Cam'ron the "Izzo" beat, but gave it to Jay-Z. In turn, Kanye gave Cam the "Down and Out" beat for free.

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