The story goes that when Biggie Smalls first met Cam'ron and heard him rhyme, Biggie said he wanted Cam'ron to be the next King of New York. In a crowded field of contenders after Biggie's death, Cam'ron makes an admirable... more » bid for that title with Confessions of Fire. As is typical of the post-Biggie era, thuggishness is acceptable, but only when accompanied by a wink and a grin--and Cam'ron certainly smiles, whether it's in the anthemically tongue-in-cheek "Horse & Carriage" or in the knowledge that his mistress's boyfriend is "too cheap for caller ID." Though often plagued by a serious case of New-York-pseudo-gangster-beat-itis, Cam'ron comes through with personality, style, and enough juice to own the town--this week. --Jon Caramonica« less
The story goes that when Biggie Smalls first met Cam'ron and heard him rhyme, Biggie said he wanted Cam'ron to be the next King of New York. In a crowded field of contenders after Biggie's death, Cam'ron makes an admirable bid for that title with Confessions of Fire. As is typical of the post-Biggie era, thuggishness is acceptable, but only when accompanied by a wink and a grin--and Cam'ron certainly smiles, whether it's in the anthemically tongue-in-cheek "Horse & Carriage" or in the knowledge that his mistress's boyfriend is "too cheap for caller ID." Though often plagued by a serious case of New-York-pseudo-gangster-beat-itis, Cam'ron comes through with personality, style, and enough juice to own the town--this week. --Jon Caramonica
CD Reviews
Cam'ron- Confessions of Fire
Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 05/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Cam'rons debut album "Confessions of Fire" (1998) is a solid release. Nowadays Cam'ron is a well established rapper signed to Rocafella, back in 98 he was just another MC trying to make it. The intro has Cam'ron making it through the jungle, then he hooks up with Noreaga and shows some of his hunger on "Glory" which is followed up by the fastpaced "357". Then he drops some laid back tracks with "Rockin' and Rollin'" and "Wrong Ones", the later track has Cam'ron talking about creeping it with a lady. "Death" is a grimey track, where Cam'ron drops some ill lines, and uses some Biggie vocals. "Horse & Carriage" feat. Mase is one of the singles that helped this one sell, its nothing special to me, though I do like Mase's chorus. R&B singer Kelly Price drops some vocals on "Prophecy", a sad sounding cut, where Cam'ron drops some memorable lyrics when remembering his best friend blood who died. I like this track because it just goes deep and flows through smoothly, basically the message behind is appreciate life because you never know when your going to go. "D Rugs" is a standout cut, where Cam'ron talks about the game drugs, and family going back to 88, backed by some impressive vocals from Brotha. Upbeat "Feels Good" feat. Usher changes the pace, a track about love and sex. Cam'ron gets real dirty on "Confessions" and unleashes some hate on "F*** You". Charli Baltimore and Cam'ron deliver a decent collab on "Me and my boo". The album closes off with "Who's Nice". What I like about this one is Cam'ron came out hungry and raw delivering some memorable tracks, on the flipside though the album has some wack beats and a number of tracks which fall under skip material. All in all though "Confessions of Fire" was a decent debut, which helped Cam'ron get a foothold in the rap game. Since then he has come along way, his latest album "Purple Haze" drops next month. 3.5."
My confessions (3 and 1/2)
Nuisance | Miami | 10/22/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Cam'ron's first single 357 showed that he had potential but his second single Horse & Carriage made people sleep on him and this album. Now this album is not great by any means but its decent at best. After a silly intro, the albums starts off with Glory(feat Noreaga) which is not bad. 357 was a great first single because Cam actually spit on that track. The track Death is hilarious because its Death teasing and taunting Cam'ron about his fear of dying. Confessions is Cam'ron giving the most ridiculous confession to a priest that you'll ever hear but this track is one of the better songs on the album. Cam'ron gives two honest attempts at songs of substance with Prophecy(feat Kelly Price) and D Rugs. On Prophecy, Cam'ron gets introspective plus Kelly Price on the chorus was a nice touch and D Rugs is Cam telling a story of how his mother was a addicted to drugs. Shanghai is a comical account of Cam'ron robbing a restaurant. There are songs that stop this album from being the great album it could have been. Horse & Carriage is garbage and why he thought Mase would have made this song better by being on the hook is beyond me. Both the Jermaine Dupri featured tracks, Rockin & Rollin and A Pimp's A Pimp are studio trash can material. We Got It is straight up filler. Cam also falls flat when he tries his hand at songs for the ladies like Me & My Boo(feat Charli Baltimore) and Feels Good(featuring Usher. Bottom Line: While Cam'ron's Confessions Of Fire is not the best album of 1998, its one of his best albums and is better than the hot garbage he has been putting out lately. Cam'ron's rhymes on certain tracks were better than the way he raps now. He blow this one out the water with S.D.E. though. Standout Tracks: GLORY, 357, WRONG ONES, DEATH, PROPHECY, D RUGS, CONFESSIONS, SHANGHAI and WHO'S NICE."
One Nice Blazzin Hip Hop Classic
Monitorman@hotmail.com | Maryland | 07/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cam'runs this album. It's nice. You can feel it out on all levels: R&B, dance, street,underground. A must for any hip hop head or anyone for that matter. I originally purchased the album for 'Horse & Carriage' , but soon discovered that was just the tip of the iceberg. The most overlooked album of 1998. Can't wait for the next album ... provided it doesn't turn out to be a softmore jinx."
One track does it all
Monitorman@hotmail.com | 04/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i'm telling you right now buy this album. the track "prophecy" featuring Kelly Price is the best and most powerful song ever. the hook by kelly is so catchy and cam'ron does clean, laid back rap over r+b background music. the song is worth buying the album. also tracks like "horse and carriage", and "me and my boo" are collecters too."
Coulda been better!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amari321@AOL.com | Chicago, IL | 03/11/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Alright, everyone who likes Cam'ron and Ma$e only because "their fine" and "their hot," their dumb. This CD does not represent Cam in all of his "Glory." There are some songs worth listening to, such as "357","Glory", "Horse and Carriage" and "Shanghai." But other than those few songs, it's obvious that this CD was made to appeal to a pop audience. It's okay to get your money, but I know that Cam will come back twice as nice on some stuff that truly represents him."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1