Cam’ron Sues J. Cole for $500K, Claims Rapper Broke Promises and Released Song Without His OK

Cam’ron and J. Cole
Cam’ron and J. Cole Photo by FMT licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Platinum-selling rapper Cam’ron is taking J. Cole to court, accusing him of breaking their deal over the 2024 track “Ready ’24” — and failing to pay up.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court and obtained by Rolling Stone, Cam’ron (real name Cameron Giles) claims that Cole “refused to honor” their agreement surrounding the song, which appeared on Cole’s Might Delete Later mixtape.

Cam’ron says he hasn’t received any compensation for his work on the collaboration and was only credited as a composition co-author, even though his vocals appear on the track. He’s asking the court to officially name him a co-author of the sound recording and to order Cole and Universal Music Group to audit royalties so he can receive his “proportionate share.”

The complaint accuses Cole of breaking multiple promises tied to the track. Cam’ron says his contributions were made under specific conditions — including that he would have final approval before release and that Cole would collaborate on a future single.

According to the filing, the two recorded “Ready ’24” in June 2022 in New York City. Cam’ron says he made it clear the song couldn’t be released until Cole completed a new collaboration with him. Cole allegedly agreed, but later balked when asked to appear on one of Cam’ron’s existing tracks, suggesting instead that they make a new one together — a plan that never came to fruition.

“The collaboration never materialized despite repeated requests,” the lawsuit states. When Cam’ron reached out again in July 2023, Cole reportedly shifted gears, saying he wanted to appear on Cam’ron’s podcast, It Is What It Is, instead. But between July 2023 and April 2024, Cam’ron says Cole kept postponing and never showed.

Cole eventually released “Ready ’24” in April 2024. Warner Chappell Music registered the composition, but not the sound recording, meaning Cam’ron hasn’t received any royalty payments. He believes he’s owed at least $500,000, in addition to attorneys’ fees and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

Representatives for J. Cole and UMG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.