The backstory, as explained by Nah Right: “Oh What a Night†— Cam’ron’s take on, yes, the Four Seasons’ “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night),†a.k.a. a top five all-time bar mitzvah, inflatable-guitar-and-oversize-sunglasses party anthem — was originally recorded in 2005, around the time Cam got shot and nearly carjacked for his royal-blue Lambo in Washington, D.C. It’s just been released in full now, for a new Duke Da God mixtape. And even though the night in question is one of violence and danger and hate, Cam’s joy is predictably irrepressible: “Swagger tight, look at the jewelry / got shot, still no security,†etc. Then, even better, on the adlib part on the way out: “Pop a bottle. Grab a chick. If you a chick, grab a dude. If you can’t pop a bottle, grab a mixed drink. Do what you can do — Dipset loves you either way.†More important: How good are Cam’ron and the rest of the Diplomats at improving cheesy pop-rock songs by unironically rapping over them? If you’ve never heard it, check out their “We Built This City†reimagining right now. You will never think of Jefferson Starship the same way again.
Hear “Oh What a Night†at Nah Right