Cam’ron Identifies as Black Not African American, Says: “Africans Don’t Even F With Us”

In a candid segment on the Season 3 premiere of his sports talk show, “It Is What It Is,” Cam’ron delved into his perspective on racial classification, expressing a preference for identifying as a “Black American” rather than an “African American.” The rapper-turned-talk-show-host shared his views with co-host Ma$e, emphasizing his belief that Africans do not necessarily associate with Americans as part of the Motherland.

Cam’ron articulated his stance, stating, “I’d rather fill in ‘Black’ than ‘African American’ [on I.D. forms] because Africans don’t even f**k with us. When you go over there [to Africa], they call us ‘yankees.’ We’re from America. So I’d rather say I’m a Black American.” He drew attention to the Olympics as an example, highlighting that when representing the United States, athletes are recognized simply as “American,” without a racial qualifier.

In his monologue, Cam’ron argued that the global stage, particularly in competitions like the Olympics, does not categorize individuals based on race. He concluded, “So I consider myself a Black American. I don’t consider myself an African American.” Despite his assertions, he expressed love for his connections in Africa, acknowledging that they might not view Americans as true Africans.

The same episode showcased Cam’ron’s headline-making freestyle, where he dropped names such as JAY-Z, Method Man, Mobb Deep, Ma$e, Donald Trump, LeBron James, and more. The freestyle received acclaim from various industry figures, with producer Conductor Williams expressing interest in a future collaboration with the Dipset rapper.

However, the episode also stirred controversy when Cam’ron and Ma$e criticized Odell Beckham Jr., referring to him as “zesty.” This commentary faced immediate backlash, prompting questions from viewers about the veteran artists’ choice to engage in such critiques.

Cam’ron’s talk show, “It Is What It Is,” has gained popularity, earning a spot on HipHopDX’s list of nominees for Best Hip Hop TV Shows of 2023. The rapper continues to use the platform to share his thoughts on various topics, sparking conversations within the hip-hop community.

You can see the whole segment beginning at the 40:34 mark below.