“She didn’t want it… and that was one of the best things to ever happen to me,” Cam’ron shares in a jaw-dropping revelation.
In a revelation that left fans and hip-hop heads buzzing, Harlem rap legend Cam’ron dropped a bombshell about one of the most iconic Dipset tracks of all time—“I Really Mean It.” According to the rapper, the track wasn’t originally meant for him. Instead, it was written for none other than rap queen Lil’ Kim.
Speaking on the latest episode of his viral sports talk show It Is What It Is, Cam’ron peeled back the curtain on a moment that could’ve rewritten hip-hop history.
“I did write a song for Lil’ Kim and she didn’t want it,” Cam revealed. “The lyrics changed, and I ended up keeping it for myself.”
And just like that, one of Dipset’s most celebrated anthems almost belonged to Brooklyn’s Queen Bee—but she wasn’t feeling the vibe.
“She Turned It Down”—How Lil’ Kim Walked Away from a Street Classic
Cam didn’t mince words when revisiting the moment Lil’ Kim declined the track that would become a signature Dipset banger.
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“It was one of my biggest records,” he admitted. “I wrote ‘I Really Mean It’ for Lil’ Kim. Same format, and she didn’t like it.”
Produced by the legendary Just Blaze, “I Really Mean It” became a street anthem and one of Dipset’s most recognizable songs. It showcased Cam’s charismatic wordplay, his Harlem swagger, and Dipset’s unapologetic New York energy.
But what if Lil’ Kim had accepted it?
Cam’s answer: “I’m happy she didn’t.”
“That’s one of my close-out songs at shows. It gets the crowd hype. And she didn’t want the song. That’s one of the best things, to be totally honest with you.”
The Cam’ron x Lil’ Kim Connection: A Creative History That Dates Back Decades
This isn’t the first time Cam has penned music for Lil’ Kim. In fact, their creative relationship goes way back to 1996, when Cam wrote “Crush On You”, one of Kim’s earliest breakout hits from her debut album Hard Core.
Originally intended as a solo Kim record, “Crush On You” famously ended up as a duet with Lil’ Cease, but the pen behind the verses? Cam’ron.
“That was my first ghostwriting credit,” he said of the fan-favorite track.
Produced by Andreao “Fanatic” Heard, “Crush On You” helped shape Kim’s iconic status early on, but it also showcased Cam’s skills behind the scenes.
Surprise Credits: Cam Also Wrote 3LW’s Breakout Hit!
As if fans weren’t shocked enough by the Lil’ Kim revelation, Cam’ron had another surprise up his sleeve in the same episode.
“I wrote for 3 Little Women,” he shared. “The single—I’m in the credits—I wrote that. ‘Promises, promises’? That’s me.”
He’s talking about “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right),” the breakout 2000 hit by 3LW, which peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped launch the careers of group members Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton.
With its catchy hook and confident lyrics, “No More” became an early-2000s anthem for female empowerment—and Cam’ron was quietly behind the scenes.
“We’re real creative, just tap in, man,” Cam added.
Fans React: “Queen Bee Missed Out!”
Unsurprisingly, the revelations sparked a flood of reactions across social media:
????️ “Lil’ Kim really turned down ‘I Really Mean It’? That’s wild.”
???? “Kim’s still the Queen but that was a miss, no lie.”
???? “Cam writing for Kim and 3LW? That man’s pen is legendary.”
Many fans are now re-listening to “I Really Mean It” with a whole new perspective—wondering what it would have sounded like with Kim’s fiery delivery instead of Cam’s laid-back bravado.
Cam’s Ghostwriting Legacy: Bigger Than You Thought
Cam’ron is widely celebrated for his solo work and his impact with The Diplomats, but his ghostwriting legacy is quietly one of the most influential in the game.
From hardcore street anthems to R&B pop crossovers, Cam has shown a rare versatility. He’s not just a Harlem trendsetter—he’s been shaping sounds for two decades, often without getting mainstream credit.
Between crafting hits for Lil’ Kim, ghostwriting for 3LW, and churning out Dipset classics, Cam continues to prove he’s more than just a rapper—he’s a creative powerhouse.
“I Really Mean It” Lives On
Today, “I Really Mean It” stands as one of Dipset’s most iconic tracks, regularly played at concerts, clubs, and even on sports broadcasts.
Its soaring horns, thumping bass, and Cam’s self-assured flow capture a moment in hip-hop history that defined an era—and it almost didn’t happen.
But fate, as Cam puts it, had other plans:
“I’m just glad I kept that one for myself.”
Final Thoughts
It’s not every day that you find out a classic hit was originally meant for someone else—let alone a rap icon like Lil’ Kim. But thanks to a twist of fate (and a bit of rejection), fans were gifted one of the dopest anthems in Dipset history.
What would “I Really Mean It” have sounded like in Lil’ Kim’s voice?
We may never know—but we do know this: Cam’ron made the right call.
???? What are your thoughts? Should Lil’ Kim have taken the song? Drop your opinions in the comments below!
???? Stay tuned for more jaw-dropping reveals and exclusive hip-hop stories—only here.
