On an episode of their talk show It Is What It Is, Cam’ron and Ma$e strongly rejected the idea that the classic New York City accent is dying out among younger generations.
Co-host Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson brought up the topic by noting common claims that internet slang and digital media are washing away regional speech patterns. Both Harlem rappers pushed back, arguing that the city’s distinctive voice is deeply rooted in local culture rather than something kids just pick up online.
Ma$e argued that the accent will never disappear because it is tied directly to the temperament, personality, and everyday aggression of New Yorkers. Cam’ron agreed, dismissing the notion as another fabricated internet rumour and emphasizing that a gritty NYC delivery simply wouldn’t sound authentic coming from someone on the West Coast or down South. To illustrate how deeply environment shapes speech, Cam’ron even shared a personal anecdote about temporarily picking up a Southern twang after attending junior college in Texas years ago, joking that he has been “stuck” with his own blended cadence ever since.
Their conversation touched on a broader ongoing debate sparked by a February survey from The Word Finder (via CBS News New York), which ranked New York City No. 12 among U.S. cities where residents report hearing local accents less frequently. While gentrification, shifting demographics, and media influences continue to soften traditional pronunciations in parts of Manhattan and the outer boroughs, born-and-raised New Yorkers and figures like Cam’ron and Ma$e maintain that the core attitude and sound of the city remain unshakable.