As with her debut, Self Portrait, I Am What I Am contains contributions from George Clinton and the musicians from Parliament-Funkadelic, as well as local Detroit session players such as guitarist Ray Monette.

In 1996, Ruth Copeland's first two albums were licensed by HDH Inc. and reissued by P-Vine Records individually.

In 1997 these albums were reissued on one CD under the juxtaposed title Self Portrait/I Am What I Am (Deepbeats DEEPM 022).

It was then issued under the title Gimme Shelter - The Invictus Sessions (Castle Music CMRCD 576).

The two (complete) albums, plus bonus single mixes of some of the songs, were released in a two-disc set by Edsel records in October 2009.