Cardan

Cardan is a New York rapper best known as a member of Harlem World, the group assembled by Ma$e in the late ’90s. Cardan is also well known as a ghostwriter, penning lyrics for artists like Nelly, Bow Wow, and Puff Daddy.

Cardan—born Pierre Jones—originally went by Pierre Cardin, a reference to the luxury fashion designer. At the age of 16, Cardan appeared on DJ Clue’s Cluemanatti Pt. II mixtape, stealing the show on a song with Cam'Ron called “Harlem World Freestyle.” He would remain a fixture on NYC’s mixtape scene throughout the late ’90s.

After signing a solo deal with Penalty Records, Cardan released his debut single “Jam On It”—a duet with Jermaine Dupri—in 1998. The track became a minor hit on BET and Billboard’s Rap and R&B singles charts.

Harlem World’s gold-selling debut The Movement was released in 1999. Although Cardan appeared on five of the album’s songs, and was arguably group’s most famous member, he was removed from the album’s artwork and lead single’s music video by Ma$e.