Cam'ron Explains If He's Ever Hated His Job

Tuesday evening, Cam'ron hosted HipHopDX at the Asylum Records label offices. The Diplomats co-founder and president spoke about his forthcoming album Crime Pays. Having recently released the single [click to listen] and video [click to view] "I Hate My Job," Killa Cam explained how the message to recession-era America applied in his own decade-plus-long career.

"It was a time maybe, two [albums] ago, when I was bored with it," admitted the rapper, who first appeared on 1995's Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous by Big L. "I've been rapping since I was nine, 10 years old. It wasn't necessarily about me hatin' my job, it was just like I could do other stuff. I made enough money, [I don't have to do this anymore, so I can do other stuff - I'm not gonna rap."

Although the Harlem star revealed he questioned giving it up after his Purple Haze release, he said his abilities and job was something he couldn't shake. "I'd find myself at the table makin' up raps. I'd find myself in the car makin' up raps. I'd go to the movie theater [and rap]. I'm like, 'Damn, I'm not even tryin' to rap, and I'm rappin'." So it was kind of [surprising]. What happened was, even if I wanted to stop, I couldn't stop. It was a time when I wanted to, and I couldn't. I hate it and I still love it at the same time. I couldn't stop it."

Due April 21, Crime Pays is prompting a different attitude from Cam. He shrugged and smiles, "Right now, I'm enjoying it."

Crime Pays features no guests with music from returning Cam'ron producer Skitzo and newcomer Rhode Island native A-Rab.

Stay tuned for DX's full video feature with Cam'ron.