A Look at Cam’ron’s Influential Sense of Style
Reflecting on Killa Cam's infamous fashion highlights throughout the years.
Cameron “Cam’ron” Giles is the New York rapper who dominated the charts in the 90s and 2000s. From his career beginnings with Mase and Big L to his tenure with Jay-Z and Dame Dash’s Roc-A-Fella Records, Cam has done it all.
Cam was also the frontman for the New York rap collective Dipset/The Diplomats alongside fellow spitters Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey and Juelz Santana among others. Arguably speaking, Dipset was the precursor and blueprint for A$AP Mob.
Aside from timeless tracks like “Hey Ma” and “Oh Boy”, Cam’ron has often been cited as a foremost influence on black fashion and streetwear. Everyone and their grandmother have seen Cam’s now-iconic pink fur photo from the 2003 Mercedes-Benz fashion week.
The image perfectly juxtaposed Cam’s rough street demeanour with the vibrant pink outfit in question. From here, it became acceptable for many people in and out of hip hop to wear pink and other esoteric garments.
Rap is hypermasculine at best and occasionally narrow-minded and discriminatory at worst. Artists like Cam and Kanye West proudly donned stereotypically out of the box fits that are now commonplace and widely accepted.
Whether its Lil Tracy or Jaden Smith with a purse or dress, Cam provided the first step in the right direction for men’s fashion. Jewellery was also a big part of Cam and Dipset’s iconography. Cam’s cover art for his third release ‘Come Home with Me’ shows multiple Cuban link chains draped over his black tee.
Cam also had his own signature Roc-A-Fella and Diplomat chains that were often paired with diamond-encrusted rings, watches and bracelets. Cam and Dipset often sported basketball and baseball jerseys paired with their signature trucker hats.
If Cam wasn’t in a fitted cap, you could find him in a silk durag, Gucci bucket hat or bandana. In terms of footwear, Dipset and the Nike Air Force 1 were commonly interweaved. In recent years, Cam has collaborated with Reebok for his own signature Reebok Question and Ventilator silhouettes.
Cam is often looked back on as a hallmark of the 2000s Black fashion. His style is often imitated but not replicated.
Stream Cam'ron on Spotify and Apple Music here.
