Cam’ron Defends Drake’s Dipset Fandom Despite Public Criticism

Cam’ron is fully backing Drake‘s admiration for Dipset, despite the criticism that the Toronto artist has faced for his fandom in the past. Last year, Drake was ridiculed for wearing Cam’ron’s signature pink fur coat during a performance at the Apollo Theater, where he also brought the legendary Harlem group out as surprise guests. However, in a recent GQ interview, Cam’ron defended Drake, framing the moment as an expression of respect from a younger artist who grew up influenced by the culture.

“It’s no different from anybody else just trying to show love,” Cam’ron said. He added that, as someone who grew up idolizing the likes of EPMD and Big Daddy Kane, he understood Drake’s gesture. “A rapper that’s younger than me who grew up watching what we did. I f*cking grew up wanting to get a chain because EPMD had the gold link going on, or Big Daddy Kane‘s rope chain,” he said. Cam’ron further explained that when someone of Drake’s stature shows love, it should be embraced, especially considering Drake’s massive success, calling him “the modern-day Michael Jackson that can also rap.”

Drake’s Honorary Dipset Membership

In January, Drake was crowned an honorary fifth member of Dipset during his performances at the Apollo Theater, where he not only wore the pink fur but also gifted Jim Jones a custom OVO x Dipset bracelet. Drake acknowledged the profound influence Dipset had on his upbringing, stating, “These guys right here from Harlem made us dress different, talk different, walk different, rap different — all the way in Canada.”

For the second night of his Apollo shows, Drake wore a jacket inspired by Cam’ron’s iconic U.S. flag jacket from his “Get ‘Em Girls” video, while Santana and Jim Jones wore custom Dipset x OVO jackets designed by Jeff Hamilton.

Jim Jones’ Reflection on Passing on Drake

It’s also worth noting that Jim Jones once passed on signing Drake early in his career, dismissing him as just an actor from the Disney Channel‘s Degrassi. In a past interview, Jim Jones revealed that when Drake‘s name came across his desk, he didn’t see his potential. He recalled, “I got a call from Alan Grunblatt, I think I was on tour, and Alan was like, ‘I got this guy named Drake, he’s an actor, he’s on Degrassi.’ I’m like, ‘Who the fck is Drake on Degrassi?’” Jones admitted that he didn’t take Drake seriously at first, but when he later heard Drake’s rapping, he realized his raw talent. “Once again, I just wasn’t seeing past what I seen in front of me. Weezy was smart enough to do so, and I remember being on another tour in the back of the bus hearing Weezy and Drake rapping… and I’m like, ‘Wow, life is crazy. This ngga is dead nasty, f*ck what he look like.’”

Cam’ron’s Continued Support

Despite the occasional criticisms Drake faces for his admiration of Dipset, Cam’ron has made it clear that he supports Drake’s fandom, seeing it as a genuine display of respect for the culture. As both artists continue to dominate their respective lanes, it’s clear that Drake‘s love for Dipset is more than just a trend — it’s a celebration of the influence the Harlem collective had on him.