Cam’ron, J. Cole Settle Lawsuit Over Unpaid Royalties and Broken Promises

Cam’ron and J. Cole have officially settled the remaining claims in their legal dispute over their 2024 song, “Ready ’24.” 

Cam’ron brought the suit last year, claiming he never received any financial compensation for his work on the song, and was only credited as a co-writer, not a performer, even though his vocals appear on the track. The Dipset MC also accused Cole of reneging on other promises, including “final approval” of the song and an agreement to collaborate on a future Cam’ron single, or appear on Cam’ron’s podcast.

On Tuesday, May 26, the parties filed notice in federal court that they’d “reached an agreement in principle to resolve the remaining claims.” Potential terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and lawyers for both musicians did not immediately return Rolling Stone‘s requests for comment. 

While the suit was formally settled in the courts today, Cole and Cam’ron signaled the dispute was over about two months ago when Cole finally did appear on Cam’s Talk With Flee podcast. During the chat, Cam’ron said he decided to bring the suit after feeling that Cole was repeatedly turning down chances to appear on his show. While Cole said he was “hurt, almost disappointed” by the suit, Cam’ron indicated he had no intention of the case ever going to trial, describing it as a way to get Cole’s “attention.” 

When Cam’ron (whose legal name is Cameron Giles) sued Cole, he asked the judge to declare him co-author of the sound recording, and order Cole and Universal Music Group to audit the “Ready ’24” royalties so he could be paid his “proportionate share.” Cam’ron, in the lawsuit, stated that he believed he was owed at least $500,000 for the song.

Additionally, Cam’ron claimed that when he recorded “Ready ’24” in June 2022, he told Cole that the song couldn’t be released until Cole hopped on one of his own singles. But according to the suit, Cole turned down offers to feature on two songs Cam’ron had already started, allegedly stating he “preferred” to collaborate on a song they created together. When that song never materialized, Cam’ron claimed he asked Cole to appear on his podcast instead, but Cole “repeatedly” said he was unavailable. 

J. Cole, for his part, denied Cam’ron’s allegations. In a February filing, the rapper’s lawyers said he never promised to hop on a Cam’ron song, or his podcast. He also claimed Cam’ron only started “to demand unreasonable conditions never agreed to by Cole” after “Ready ’24” was released.