--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young, I wanted to be like the…" description: "\"When I was young, I wanted to be like the rappers. I remember being in junior high and wanting a fisherman hat and a link because EPMD had one. I wante..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/cam-ron-5341_hat_when-i-was-young-i-wanted-to-be-like-the_121894.jpg" --- # When I was young, I wanted to be like the rappers. I… ![“When I was young, I wanted to be like the rappers. I remember being in junior high and wanting a fisherman hat and a link because EPMD had one. I wanted to wear Adidas because Run-DMC wore Adidas. As I came into my own, I just wanted to do me.” quote by Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/cam-ron-5341_hat_when-i-was-young-i-wanted-to-be-like-the_121894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/cam-ron-5341_hat_when-i-was-young-i-wanted-to-be-like-the_121894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/cam-ron-5341_hat_when-i-was-young-i-wanted-to-be-like-the_121894.jpg) > “When I was young, I wanted to be like the rappers. I remember being in junior high and wanting a fisherman hat and a link because EPMD had one. I wanted to wear Adidas because Run-DMC wore Adidas. As I came into my own, I just wanted to do me.” [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early aspirations were shaped by popular culture, but personal growth leads to authentic self‑expression beyond external influences. **In simple terms:** From imitation to authentic self. Key Takeaway Identity evolves beyond trends. Themes identity culture self‑expression growth Mood nostalgic empowering Type personal narrative cultural commentary When to use this quote - adopting a fashion style - choosing a career path - forming a personal brand Key Concepts social learning theory personal authenticity Practical Applications - reflect on influences that feel genuine - experiment with styles before settling Questions to Reflect On - What parts of your identity are still borrowed? - How do you balance influence and originality? A Different Perspective The narrative may oversimplify the tension between influence and individuality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Junior high](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/junior-high/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) ## Related quotes > [With music, you've got to find ways to get paid again, 'cause all the cool kids in junior high school and high school, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/with-music-you-ve-got-to-find-ways-to-get-paid-again-cause-all-the/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [When I was sent to public school, I was relieved that I could wear what I wanted to wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davey-havok/when-i-was-sent-to-public-school-i-was-relieved-that-i-could-wear/) [Davey Havok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davey-havok/) > [I wanted to wear her as you would a piece of clothing, to fold into her ribs, be a stone in her mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hisham-matar/i-wanted-to-wear-her-as-you-would-a-piece-of-clothing-to-fold-into/) [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) > [I'm going to homecoming with my friends and we tried on dresses today they put me in this... So tight I feels so short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-going-to-homecoming-with-my-friends-and-we-tried-on-dresses-today/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ultimately I think I learned a lot from my mother - the way she used fashion to make herself feel better; it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-williamson/ultimately-i-think-i-learned-a-lot-from-my-mother-the-way-she-used/) [Matthew Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-williamson/) > [I’ve been enjoying a couple of post-Oscar burgers. So I didn’t fit into a lot of the vintage stuff. I wanted to wear something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/i-ve-been-enjoying-a-couple-of-post-oscar-burgers-so-i-didn-t-fit/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [I would love to do a period movie. I've always wanted to wear the corset, you know. It's a girl thing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-movie-i-ve-always-wanted-to-wear-the/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I wanted to create a line of fitness apparel I wanted to wear to the gym.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-francis/i-wanted-to-create-a-line-of-fitness-apparel-i-wanted-to-wear-to-the/) [Ben Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-francis/) > [For my prom I really wanted to wear a bright color - something that was going to pop and stand out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/for-my-prom-i-really-wanted-to-wear-a-bright-color-something-that-was/) [Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/) > [It's something I've always wanted to do: wear the number 10 for England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-sterling/it-s-something-i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-wear-the-number-10-for-england/) [Raheem Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-sterling/) > [I knew what I wanted to wear and I couldn't find it: I wanted that delicate jewelry that you never took off, that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-meyer/i-knew-what-i-wanted-to-wear-and-i-couldn-t-find-it-i-wanted-that/) [Jennifer Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-meyer/) > [The idea was to have something wearable that fit with my reality, which was being a mom with two young kids and not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-cornejo/the-idea-was-to-have-something-wearable-that-fit-with-my-reality/) [Maria Cornejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-cornejo/) > [I go through different phases and change my mind about my style all the time. In the winter, I wanted to wear jeans and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-morris/i-go-through-different-phases-and-change-my-mind-about-my-style-all/) [Heather Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-morris/) > [A lot of people, I think, would love to see the earth from above, wear a spacesuit. Certainly, when I was a kid, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-payette/a-lot-of-people-i-think-would-love-to-see-the-earth-from-above-wear-a/) [Julie Payette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-payette/) > [Designing wasn't something that I was always into, but I wasn't able to find clothes that I wanted to wear. I wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/designing-wasn-t-something-that-i-was-always-into-but-i-wasn-t-able/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) ## More by Cam'ron > [I work with any producer that brings me a hot beat, but you don't always know if it's a sample.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-work-with-any-producer-that-brings-me-a-hot-beat-but-you-don-t/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [When we did Diplomats music, it was all genuine, and I think that's why people love it so much, because they seen a group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/when-we-did-diplomats-music-it-was-all-genuine-and-i-think-that-s-why/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I won't just give up anything to anybody because they're waving a gun around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-won-t-just-give-up-anything-to-anybody-because-they-re-waving-a-gun/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I think I'm the best at everything that I do. I may be biased because it's me. But if you ask me that, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-think-i-m-the-best-at-everything-that-i-do-i-may-be-biased-because/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I just think that rap takes way more slack than the video games and the movies. We don't make guns. Smith and Wesson makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-just-think-that-rap-takes-way-more-slack-than-the-video-games-and/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I'm Mr. Romance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-m-mr-romance/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I've never started beef with anybody that didn't start with me first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-ve-never-started-beef-with-anybody-that-didn-t-start-with-me-first/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [Dipset is Dipset, but it's over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/dipset-is-dipset-but-it-s-over/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I wouldn't call and tell anybody on him, but I'd probably move. But I'm not gonna call and be like, 'The serial killer's in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-wouldn-t-call-and-tell-anybody-on-him-but-i-d-probably-move-but-i-m/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I sell bikinis. I sell comforters. I sell Cam'ron pillows. I sell a bunch of things off my likeness, and it all came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-sell-bikinis-i-sell-comforters-i-sell-cam-ron-pillows-i-sell-a/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [Me and 50 had a conversation. We good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/me-and-50-had-a-conversation-we-good/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I don't play basketball as good as I used to and I hate losing, so I'd rather not be seen in public until I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-don-t-play-basketball-as-good-as-i-used-to-and-i-hate-losing-so-i-d/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [To be honest, sometimes I get in my shell, and I don't want to do stuff, and sometimes I'm real active.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/to-be-honest-sometimes-i-get-in-my-shell-and-i-don-t-want-to-do-stuff/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [You can get away with black sweatpants for a day or two, but pink is something you wear for one day: the day before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/you-can-get-away-with-black-sweatpants-for-a-day-or-two-but-pink-is/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [When I first started wearing pink, it wasn't nothing I planned on doing or strategized. But people showed me so much love for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/when-i-first-started-wearing-pink-it-wasn-t-nothing-i-planned-on/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) [Explore all 101 Cam'ron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) ## More Hat quotes > [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/) [Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/) > [Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. I am not among them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-schatz/anybody-who-thinks-that-they-should-lead-the-country-should-go-ahead/) [Brian Schatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-schatz/) > [I started out wanting to be a fireman and would cry if my mother tried to take off my 'Emergency 51' hat, so she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-henry/i-started-out-wanting-to-be-a-fireman-and-would-cry-if-my-mother/) [Ed Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-henry/) > [Language just gradually came in, one or two stressed words a time. Before then, I would just scream. I couldn't talk. I couldn't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/language-just-gradually-came-in-one-or-two-stressed-words-a-time/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [What I love most about Her Majesty is that she has kept hats alive in people's minds for more than 60 years. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/what-i-love-most-about-her-majesty-is-that-she-has-kept-hats-alive-in/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [If you put on your business hat, you can't maintain competitiveness by staying at a competitive disadvantage. I mean, you just can't. The odds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-bresch/if-you-put-on-your-business-hat-you-can-t-maintain-competitiveness-by/) [Heather Bresch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-bresch/) > [I want people to throw on a hat, head out into the outback and see the real Australia. You can do it how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-torode/i-want-people-to-throw-on-a-hat-head-out-into-the-outback-and-see-the/) [John Torode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-torode/) > [When I put on my consumer hat, and I'm buying tickets to be entertained, I'm not interested in seeing, like, 'Don Quixote.' Unless someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/when-i-put-on-my-consumer-hat-and-i-m-buying-tickets-to-be/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [That satisfied me until I began to figure that if God loved all his children equally, why did he bother about my red hat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-farmer/that-satisfied-me-until-i-began-to-figure-that-if-god-loved-all-his/) [Frances Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-farmer/) > [I don't think I care about the hair as much as people think I do. It's just kind of there. It's not really a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-degrom/i-don-t-think-i-care-about-the-hair-as-much-as-people-think-i-do-it-s/) [Jacob deGrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-degrom/) > [I was once part of a Christmas cabaret. I sang 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.' I tap-danced. I had a ten-gallon hat. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-was-once-part-of-a-christmas-cabaret-i-sang-i-saw-mommy-kissing/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [People, when they buy a hat, they can't explain why they want to buy it or why they want it, but they do. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/people-when-they-buy-a-hat-they-can-t-explain-why-they-want-to-buy-it/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [I tend to wear boots, jeans, and T-shirts everywhere I go, and a hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-michael-murray/i-tend-to-wear-boots-jeans-and-t-shirts-everywhere-i-go-and-a-hat/) [Chad Michael Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-michael-murray/) > [I haven't spent my entire career playing the guy in the bad hat, although I have to say that the bad guy is frequently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-haven-t-spent-my-entire-career-playing-the-guy-in-the-bad-hat/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I suppose with work, I tend to have to wear make-up quite a bit and so when I'm away its completely bare, I chuck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-scanlon/i-suppose-with-work-i-tend-to-have-to-wear-make-up-quite-a-bit-and-so/) [Angela Scanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-scanlon/) Browse all 365 Hat quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young, I wanted to be like the rappers. 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