In a recent twist, the mystery behind the unreleased “Can’t Feel My Face” album by Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana has been unraveled, thanks to Cam’Ron.
Cam’Ron, often surrounded by hearsay, has finally set the record straight about why the 2006 collaboration between Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana never hit the shelves. During an episode of his YouTube series, Cam’ron shared insights into the business maneuvers that doomed the project. It wasn’t him who blocked the release, but rather industry politics tied to Universal Music Group.
According to Cam’Ron, the snag was Universal’s hold over Wayne’s releases. He explained how Def Jam was caught in a bind because Wayne hadn’t dropped his album yet. Universal demanded a lion’s share of profits, leaving Def Jam with crumbs. “Juelz and Wayne had a project,” he said. “Universal told Def Jam, ‘Wayne hasn’t turned in his album yet, so if you want to drop this project, we’re taking 95 percent of the profits.'” Such a deal was clearly untenable for Def Jam.
Cam’Ron’s joint venture with Def Jam meant equal splits, which wasn’t feasible under Universal’s demands. Cam’Ron elaborated, “If the album came out, Def Jam would take 2.5 percent, and Juelz and I would get 2.5 percent. Def Jam told me, ‘Cam, we love you, but we’re not doing that.’” His commitment to Juelz Santana, his protégé, remained unwavering, aiming to make him a star, as Juelz himself acknowledged.
The legend of “Can’t Feel My Face” continues in hip-hop circles, with Cam’Ron pointing out that figures like Steve Gawley, a prominent lawyer, could corroborate his story. The truth, according to him, is an open secret among industry insiders. “People don’t know Steve Gawley; they just want to blame me,” Cam’Ron noted.
Lil Wayne had high hopes for the album when speaking to MTV News in 2006. He envisioned it could even become a full-blown LP due to its original production. “We just sat down and listened to it and realized we didn’t use any outside beats,” Wayne shared. Despite the setbacks, the chemistry between Wayne and Juelz keeps fans wondering what might have been.
While the “Can’t Feel My Face” album never saw the light of day, its story continues to intrigue. Cam’Ron’s revelations highlight the complex web of industry politics that often complicate artistic endeavors.
