RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 6: J. Cole performs onstage during the 2025 Dreamville Music Festival at Dorothea Dix Park on April 6, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)

Rapper J. Cole has retained entertainment litigator Samantha W. Frankel of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP as he faces an ongoing royalty dispute with fellow rapper Cam’Ron, signaling an aggressive legal posture as the case moves forward. AllHipHop broke the news on Tuesday (Jan. 27).

Frankel, a partner based in Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp’s New York office, focuses on complex entertainment and commercial litigation. Her addition to Cole’s legal team comes as the parties continue to litigate claims stemming from the song “Ready ’24,” which appeared on Cole’s 2024 mixtape, Might Delete Later.

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp is known to handle high-profile cases. Their clients included Drake, Post Malone, and Dua Lipa.

Cam’Ron filed suit in October 2025 against Cole, Cole World Inc., and Universal Music Group, alleging he was owed at least $500,000 in royalties. The complaint centers on a 2022 recording session in New York City, during which Cam’Ron alleges he permitted Cole to use his vocals on “Ready ’24” in exchange for a future musical collaboration.

According to court filings, Cole later declined to record a joint track and instead proposed appearing on Cam’Ron’s podcast, It Is What It Is. Cam’Ron claims Cole repeatedly postponed those appearances before releasing the song in April 2024.

The lawsuit alleges Cam’Ron received only a co-composer credit despite appearing on the recording. He seeks recognition as a co-author of the sound recording and an accounting of royalties.


Cam’Ron has since voluntarily dismissed his claims against Universal Music Group without prejudice, preserving the option to refile. The litigation continues against Cole and Cole World Inc.

Cole’s legal strategy unfolds amid major career developments, including the recent release of Birthday Blizzard ’26 freestyles and the upcoming album The Fall Off, scheduled for Feb. 6.