Ready '24
| "Ready '24" | |
|---|---|
| Song by J. Cole featuring Cam'ron | |
| from the album Might Delete Later | |
| Released | April 5, 2024 |
| Recorded | June 2022 |
| Studio | Electric Lady Studios |
| Length | 3:30 |
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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"Ready '24" is a song by American rapper J. Cole from his fourth mixtape Might Delete Later (2024). It features American rapper Cam'ron and was produced by AzizTheShake, DZL, T-Minus, and Wu10. The instrumental is a reworking of the instrumental to "I'm Ready" (2003) by Cam'ron's group, the Diplomats. "Ready '24" became the subject of a lawsuit by Cam'ron against J. Cole in October 2025; Cam'ron alleges contractual violations and unpaid royalties.
Critical reception
Robin Murray of Clash described the song as "a muscular, pulse-quickening experience, made all the more so by situating it against the cartoonish 'Huntin' Wabbitz'".[1] Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork wrote that in the song, "Cole begins by approximating Juelz Santana's style (spare, epigrammatic), then ratchets up the pace and word count. There is an indelible quality to the best Juelz verses that few rappers could ever replicate, but this is one of Cole's best showings on Might Delete Later—and recalls certain stretches of To Pimp a Butterfly, where Kendrick grafted more syllables onto airy P-funk beats than many of that style's originators ever had."[2]
Legal action
Cam'ron first collaborated with Cole on "95 South" (2021) and then again on "Ready '24". Cam'ron filed a lawsuit against Cole in New York in October 2025, seeking $500 thousand United States dollars. In his claim, he alleges that these collaborations came with the agreement that Cole would return the favor, either by featuring on a song or by appearing on his podcast. The filing, which claims that Cam'ron and Cole recorded "Ready '24" together in June 2022, says that Cole was repeatedly asked over the next two years to fulfill his promise but did not, that "Ready '24" was released without authorization, and that Cam'ron had not received royalties for the song.[3] Cole and his team filed a motion to dismiss in February 2026, denying all allegations.[4]
Charts
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[5] | 57 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[6] | 77 |
| South Africa (TOSAC)[7] | 15 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 38 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] | 20 |
Credits
Personnel[10]
- Jermaine Cole (J. Cole) – songwriting, vocals
- Cameron Giles (Cam'ron) – songwriting, vocals
- Abdul Aziz Dieng (AzizTheShake) – songwriting, production
- Kelvin Wooten (Wu10) – songwriting, production
- Michael Holmes (DZL) – songwriting, production, drum programming
- Tyler Williams (T-Minus) – songwriting, production, keyboard
- Kuldeep – recording
- Mez – mixing
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
Sample
Although the sample is uncredited, multiple publications note that "Ready '24" is a reworking of:[11][12]
- "I'm Ready" (2003) by the Diplomats, which itself samples "Yes, I'm Ready" (1965) by Barbara Mason
Studio[3]
References
- ^ Murray, Robin (April 5, 2024). "J. Cole – Might Delete Later". Clash. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Paul A. (April 10, 2024). "J. Cole – Might Delete Later". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ a b DeSantis, Rachel (October 29, 2025). "Cam'ron Sues J. Cole Over 'Ready '24' Collab as He Claims He's Owed $500,000 in Royalties". People. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on November 6, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ Price, Joe (February 12, 2026). "J. Cole Wants Judge to Toss Cam'ron's $500K Lawsuit, Denies Allegations". Complex. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "J. Cole throws shade, then catches feelings (Ed 131)". The Official South African Charts. April 18, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Ready '24 (feat. Cam'ron) - Song by J. Cole". Apple Music. April 5, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
"Might Delete Later - Album by J. Cole". Spotify. April 5, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
"Might Delete Later / J. Cole / Credits". Tidal. April 5, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026. - ^ Denis, Kyle; Saponara, Michael (April 8, 2024). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion, Khalid, J. Cole & More". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. OCLC 732913734. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ Boogie, Aqua (October 29, 2025). "Cam'ron Sues J. Cole For Failing To Deliver On Agreements Over "Ready '24"". Rap-Up. ISSN 1943-4006. Archived from the original on November 1, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026.