Lance "Un" Rivera Archives - New Hip Hop News

Cam’ron’s “S.D.E.” Turns 23

October 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Throughout his career, Cam’ron has been influential in shaping Hip Hop’s landscape, especially in the East Coast rap scene. Cam’ron has an impressive catalog to his name, dating back to his days with Children Of The Corn. However, he made his solo debut with the release of 1998’s Confessions Of Fire. Two years later, he followed it up with S.D.E.

The release of his sophomore album marked the beginning of a very successful decade for the rapper. It has now been 23 years since S.D.E. dropped, and in retrospect, it was an important transitional album for Cam’ron. While it may not be widely regarded as his greatest work, especially compared to later projects, S.D.E. certainly deserves more accolades than it gets.

The Making Of S.D.E.

Following the success of his 1998 debut album, Cam’ron stepped back into the booth just months after the album’s release. The rapper began recording S.D.E., his sophomore album, in 1999. Initially, the album was set to be dropped in the same year as The Rough, Rough, Rough Album, but going through several revisions ultimately delayed its release. S.D.E. was finally released on September 19, 2000, under Epic Records. The album’s title is an acronym short for “Sports, Drugs & Entertainment.”

Cam’ron Had Something to Say

The album features a mix of hardcore rap and mellow tracks. As its title suggests, the album explores themes related to street life, drugs, and the entertainment industry. Throughout the project, Cam’ron delves into the challenges, dangers, and allure of living a fast life. More importantly, he used the album to showcase his evolving style as a solo artist. The depth of his personality shines brightly throughout S.D.E., especially surrounding Cam’ron’s upbringing in Harlem. Moreover, the rapper’s storytelling ability takes center stage on tracks like “Do It Again” and “What I Gotta Live For.” On both tracks, Cam’ron vividly portrays the challenges of his upbringing and lifestyle.

Production And Feature Credits On S.D.E.

The album’s production features a mix of renowned producers, contributing to its diverse sound and appeal to different audiences. Lance “Un” Rivera, Trackmasters, Ron G, Armando Colon, Dame Grease, and Cam’ron himself all have production credits on S.D.E. However, most of the production on the album is done by Darrell “Digga” Branch. He produced 12 of the album’s 18 tracks.

S.D.E. also has a notable lineup of guest features, including Jim Jones and Destiny’s Child on “Do It Again,” Ol’ Dirty Bastard on “Violence,” and Juelz Santana on “Double Up.” Additionally, seven tracks on the album contain prominent samples from The Police’s “Roxanne” on “What Means the World to You” to Teddy Pendergrass’ “Don’t Leave Me Out Along the Road” on “Losin’ Weight” ft. Prodigy.

Cam’ron Delivers An Underrated Classic

Upon its release, S.D.E. received mixed reviews from critics. The album was also not a massive commercial success. However, it performed just well enough to push Cam’ron closer to the top. On the Billboard 200 chart, it debuted at number 14, which was also its peak position. While not as commercially successful as some of his later works, S.D.E. laid the groundwork for Cam’ron’s future successes in the rap industry. The album’s raw authenticity earned him a growing, dedicated fan base at the time. S.D.E. remains an essential part of Cam’ron’s discography, showcasing his artistic growth.

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Charli Baltimore Claims Lance “Un” Rivera Told Her Jay-Z Stabbed Him

October 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Charli Baltimore has been dishing out a lot of tea these days, some of it relating to multi-hyphenate entertainer Lance “Un” Rivera. Moreover, her most recent tale on VladTV concerns the infamous story of when Jay-Z stabbed him at Q-Tip’s album release party in Times Square back in December 2, 1999. Furthermore, Hov pled guilty to second-degree assault for the incident, which allegedly stemmed from his album Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter getting bootlegged before its December 28 release date. He received three years of probation, but it’s clear that the case didn’t stop there.

Back to Charli Baltimore’s account, she recalled to DJ Vlad how she was signed to Un at the time, but denied dating rumors. Apparently, the rapper showed up to the party as everyone started to leave following the stabbing, including Jay-Z himself. That’s when she found Rivera on the ground, who told her: “Jay stabbed me,” according to her. Since then, though, Lance denied that Hov was the one to attack him, contradicting his own guilty plea and the Philly native’s own account. As such, she expressed confusion at how much the story has changed, and as to why Un took his sweet time in clarifying it.

Charli Baltimore Shares Her Side Of The Jay-Z & Lance “Un” Rivera Stabbing Story

However, that’s not all that the 49-year-old alleged concerning Lance “Un” Rivera. She also claimed that he and Epic Records tried to heavily interfere with her career’s direction. “I feel like, I don’t think that they knew what to do with me as an artist,” Charli Baltimore began. “Everyone seemed to have their own vision of what I should be. And, by me not really knowing anything at that point about the music business, I’m being pulled in one hundred different directions as to what my image should be. I feel like my image is what I was when I got signed. I had red hair. It wasn’t like they sat me down and transformed me or did a makeover. This is how I walked in. Why do we have to change me into some version of myself that I’m not?

“And I don’t know if it was all Un or it was all Un and Sony,” she continued. “But obviously, most of my ‘how I should be conforming’ conversations came from Un,” the Murder Inc. affiliate detailed, calling him “very controlling.” “I think, in his mind, he wanted me to be like a pop rapper. Like a rap version of Britney Spears or something, which I’m not.” For more news and updates on Charli Baltimore, Lance “Un” Rivera, and Jay-Z, keep checking in with HNHH.

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Charli Baltimore Recalls Lance “Un” Rivera Trying To Make Her A Rap “Britney Spears”

September 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Charli Baltimore says that Lance “Un” Rivera and Epic Records tried to make her into a “rap version of Britney Spears.” She reflected on her experiences in the music industry with gender bias and more during an interview with VladTV.

“I feel like, I don’t think that they knew what to do with me as an artist,” she said. “Everyone seemed to have their own vision of what I should be. And, by me not really knowing anything at that point about the music business, I’m being pulled in one hundred different directions as to what my ‘image’ should be and I feel like my image is what I was when I got signed. I had red hair. It wasn’t like they sat me down and transformed me or did a makeover. This is how I walked in. Why do we have to change me into some version of myself that I’m not.”

Charli Baltimore Performs With Ja Rule At The BET Awards

Ja Rule performs with Charli Baltimore. during The 2nd Annual B.E.T. Awards – Rehearsals – Day 2 at Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by M. Caulfield/WireImage)

From there, she brought up Lance “Un” Rivera. “And I don’t know if it was all ‘Un’ or it was all ‘Un’ and Sony,” she said. “But obviously, most of my ‘how I should be conforming’ conversations came from ‘Un.’” She went on to describe him as “very controlling.” She further concluded: ” I think in his mind, he wanted me to be like a pop rapper, like a rap version of Britney Spears or something, which I’m not.” Check out her full comments on the situation below.

Charli Baltimore Reflects On Her Experience In The Music Industry

A one point in the interview, Vlad brought up previous comments she made and implied she had considered suicide at the time. Charli shot down the idea, instead suggesting she was focused on learning from mistakes and tragedies and living on for her children.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Cam’ron Dropped His Sophomore ‘S.D.E.’ Album 23 Years Ago

September 19, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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On this date in 2000, Dipset general Cam’ron released his second album Sports, Drugs And Entertainment on Untertainment Records, which was owned by his former manager Lance “Un” Rivera.

Originally titled The Rough, Rough, Rough Album, S.D.E. features appearances Destiny’s Child, Noreaga, Dutch & Spade, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Prodigy, Freekey Zeekey, Juelz Santana, and Jim Jones, which is the infantile stages of the Dipset movement.

Tracks like “What Means The World To You” and the title track produced by world famous Harlem DJ Ron G led the album to a great reception from Cam fans, but the commercial success was on hold until the Dipset revolution.

Salute to Harlem World vet Cam’ron, Untertainment and the rest of the crew that helped make this project a Hip-Hop classic!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cam’ron Dropped His Sophomore ‘S.D.E.’ Album 23 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cam’ron Dropped His Sophomore ‘S.D.E.’ Album 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Cam’ron Dropped His Sophomore ‘S.D.E.’ Album 22 Years Ago

September 18, 2022 by newhiphopnews

On this date in 2000, Dipset general Cam’ron released his second album Sports, Drugs And Entertainment on Untertainment Records, which was owned by his former manager Lance “Un” Rivera.

Salute to Harlem World vet Cam’ron, Untertainment and the rest of the crew that helped make this project a Hip-Hop classic!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cam’ron Dropped His Sophomore ‘S.D.E.’ Album 22 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.