Confessions Of Fire

07/21/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Billy Johnson Jr

Earlier this year, the hype from Cam'Ron's eyebrow-raising "Confessions" earned him a rep as one of the year's most anticipated rap artists. The eerie, controversial underground single, along with "357," "Pull It" and entries on DJ Clue mix tapes, placed the Harlem-bred MC in a confession booth, rattling off every demented sin he's ever heard of or committed, including incest, cruelty to animals and other sick acts.

It's understandable why such shock value would gain attention. Controversy has always been a proven seller--just ask 2Pac, the Geto Boys or Ice Cube. But quality-wise, "Confessions" does not reflect Cam'Ron's best. Better examples of his boldness are found when he touches on other subjects like parents neglecting their children for abusive partners ("D Rugs"), enterprising local store owners ("Shanghai"), the wrongs of creeping with a friend's woman ("Wrong Ones") or having a chilling last-hour debate with the grim reaper ("Death").

The album's production even features risky, but likeable offerings: the harp-filled Sting sample "Prophecy," the Asian chime-ridden "Shanghai," and the surprising combinations of choruses and samples on the braggadocios "Horse & Carriage" and "Me, My Moms & Jimmy."

Some of Cam'Ron's extreme efforts to be different do miss the boat, however, like the album's too long intro about overcoming his creative fears, or his admirable but poorly rhymed duet with his mom.

But for the most part, Cam'Ron, who was the first rapper signed to the late Notorious B.I.G.'s Untertainment label, is successful at provoking much-needed serious thought. Plus, his relaxing, charismatic flow and the album's dominant use of samples of strong R&B hits by Teddy Pendergrass, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Murdock and the Tom Tom Club make the album one of the most credible, easy-sounding hip-hop albums on the shelves.