Rapper J. Cole, whose legal name is Jermaine Cole, has formally responded to a lawsuit filed by Cam’Ron, real name Cameron Giles, over their 2022 collaboration “Ready ’24,” denying that he breached any agreement tied to the track.
Giles sued Cole in October, alleging he was denied proper credit and compensation for his featured verse on “Ready ’24.” He further claims Cole agreed to provide a reciprocal guest appearance on a future single or to appear on Giles’ sports podcast, “It Is What It Is,” as a condition of his participation.
According to the complaint, those commitments formed part of the parties’ agreement before the song’s release.
In an answer filed Tuesday, Cole, through attorney Christine Lepera, rejected those allegations. The response states that no binding promise was made regarding a podcast appearance or future collaboration. It further asserts that Giles endorsed the use of his verse and stood to benefit professionally from the release.
“Plaintiff encouraged and blessed defendants’ use of his performance, as it was to his career benefit,” Lepera wrote in the filing.
J. Cole Says Cam’Ron Was Happy Being On “Ready 24,” Claiming It Helped His Career
The response contends that Giles raised no objections before the commercial release of “Ready ’24.” It alleges that only after the track’s distribution did he seek additional compensation and conditions.
“It was only after the release of ‘Ready ’24’ that he began to demand unreasonable conditions never agreed to by Cole, or an excessive fee inconsistent with industry standards for a featured performance,” Lepera stated.
She added that the suit was filed “without notice to disparage Cole as leverage publicly.”
“Ready ’24” was recorded in 2022 and later included on Cole’s 2024 mixtape, Might Delete Later, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and remained on the chart for eight weeks.
Giles’ complaint alleges he required final approval over the track and credit as both co-writer and performer. He also claims an ownership interest in the sound recording. Cole’s filing disputes those assertions, stating Giles participated “voluntarily and without condition” and “is not, and never was, a joint author or co-owner of the sound recording.”
Counsel for Giles has not publicly responded to the latest filing. The case centers on alleged oral agreements, authorship rights and compensation standards in the music industry.
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