Although we, as hip hop heads, often depend on mixtapes to hear new music and remixes to songs, which have already been released, we are often unaware that many remixes are done without the artist’s knowledge.
With songs being redone, such as Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” featuring Cam’ron, and Tweet’s “Call Me” featuring Big Noyd, both artists found ways to boost their careers without the red tape of record companies. Cam’ron unofficially put his vocals on Ja Rule’s song “Dial M for Murder” because he new it would make the song even hotter. This occurred without Ja’s approval.
“No disrespect to Ja, but they weren’t playing that song on the radio ’til I did the remix,” Cam’ron said, when asked about the song. “Sometimes it’s the right verse on the radio. Not dissing at all, that man is doing his thing, but that was a street joint. N—as start playing it, like, boom”.
Ja Rule has said he doesn’t mind Cam’ron using his song. I don’t mind,” Ja Rule says. “I’ve done it in the past. ‘Pain’ was an unofficial remix, and now it’s on my album. You never know what can happen with an unofficial remix. Sometimes people get deals like that.” Still, artist have to remember that it can get tricky with record companies if they get wind of these unofficial songs.
DJ Enuff just received a notice from a label representative to discontinue Cam’ron on Amerie’s song because there is an official remix with Nas that has been released. “I may get away with playing [an unauthorized mix] for like two or three weeks now, then I get a letter from a label rep like, ‘You’ve gotta cease that record, or a lawyer will call and make it a big stink,’ ” DJ Enuff said. “That phone call comes in once in a while”.
