by Ela Matter 
 
     I was back home in New York a couple weeks ago and I like to flip on Hot 97 to get a feel for what everyone back home is listening to.  My ears had the misfortune to hear “Cookies and Apple Juice.”  What in the hell was that?  I was mad as hell to actually hear that song spewed from Cam’Ron’s lips.  I actually found myself trying to make excuses for him…maybe cookies and apple juice equate to some sort of inside joke that only Cam and three other people know about (it’s not as if Cam is known for being mainstream by any measure).  Maybe it was the past couple years he spent in South Florida that influenced this insufferable tune…only Cam knows.  I looked up the video and it was so incredibly budget, I was ready to write him off completely.  I had high hopes for you Cam, we knew you well.
 
     As soon as I started to prepare my lashing in black and white, the song “Silky” hit at the tail end of the video.  I stopped.  I listened.  Now this is the Cam we know and love.  Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place, Cam?  Why did I have to go and dig?  Why was I not even aware that you were coming out with an album this year?  Why is there no promotion?  Why Cookies and Apple Juice, Cam, why?  
 
     I know we were to expect a follow-up to “Killa Season,

” but we’ve heard that song and dance for the past three years.  “Crime Pays” was released May 12, 2009.  Did anyone else know that?  The album only sold 40,000 its first week and how it sold that many is a wonder to me.  
 
As I search through the catalog of songs, “My Job,” “Get it in Ohio,” “Silky,” all potential hits, but with a poor showing in album sales and without a hit single, this may be Cam’s last hurrah.  So get him while you can Cam fans.  I did my part…downloaded My Job…you do yours.