Drake UMG lawsuit Archives - New Hip Hop News

Wiz Khalifa Throws Some Shade At Drake For His “Not Like Us” Petitions

December 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It’s no secret how most of the hip-hop world and fans alike are feeling about Drake right now. It really is a “20 V 1,” as almost everyone is completely against him for filing two pre-action petitions. They both involve UMG, as well as Spotify and iHeartRadio, and he’s accusing them of artificially boosting play of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Most of the damage is looking to be done to UMG though, as Drake is also accusing them of defamation for allowing the diss track to drop. As you all are aware by now, Lamar throws some pedophilic allegations his way on it.

After filing the first petition to New York and the other to Texas last month, there are now hearing dates for both. According to XXL, his court date involving Spotify and UMG will take place next year on January 16 at the New York Supreme Court. As for the defamation issue, that hearing date is much sooner. In fact, it’s coming up on December 19. It’s worth noting that none of these have gone to the extent of a lawsuit just yet, as Drake and his legal reps are still trying to gather more information to back his claims.

Wiz Khalifa Gets Fans To Laugh At His Sly Drake Diss

Did Drake take it too far by suing? –@ClubShayShay
Wiz Khalifa: pic.twitter.com/XlPb5GSgtc

— kendrick Lyrics (@WordFromKdot) December 11, 2024

Regardless of how you want to classify them, though, the response to them has been not so nice, as we said. Most of the attention has shifted to Jay-Z’s recent allegations as of late, but the topic is still very much a hot one. So, it comes as no surprise that Shannon Sharpe recently spoke about it on his Club Shay Shay platform. He did so with Wiz Khalifa, his latest guest on the show.

Overall, he’s not shocked that Drake would do such a thing. In interview, he recognizes that he’s a musician and a businessman, and a smart one at that. He especially feels that way in terms of the latter, saying, “If he’s not in the public eye winning musically, he’s going to get a win wherever he can. I mean it’s just the smart thing to do… [Drake] is playing it exactly how he’s supposed to.” However, people are clipping one part of that conversation and running with it. They are of the belief that Wiz Khalifa actually disses Drake instead. It happens when Sharpe asks if Wiz believes he took it to far by suing Lamar. To that, he said, “Nah it sound like a Drake move to me.” You can take it how you want, but we disagree slightly.

[Via] [Via]

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50 Cent Explains Why Drake’s Kendrick Lamar-Inspired UMG Petition Is Hypocritical

December 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

50 Cent has become an elder statesman in the world of hip-hop and he has certainly seen it all throughout his career. Overall, he is a mogul himself, and he knows how to maneuver contracts. Furthermore, he has a very strong understanding of the music industry and how it has operated for decades. With that being said, he is the perfect person to weigh in on the fight between Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and UMG.

As many of you already know, Drake has filed two petitions against UMG. In the first, he accused UMG of using bots to make Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” a viral hit. Ultimately, he thinks UMG did this to undermine his career and make sure they could pay him less on his next contract. Furthermore, Drake filed a petition for defamation given the allegations that were mentioned in “Not Like Us.” While speaking to legendary radio host Big Boy, 50 Cent gave his unfiltered thoughts on the petition.

50 Cent Gets Real About Drake

“Everything he (Drake) says they (UMG) did for Kendrick, is something they did for him,” Fif said. Simply put, 50 Cent is calling Drake a bit of a hypocrite here. One can just go back to 2018 when Drake was being featured as the cover art for Spotify playlists that didn’t even contain his music. The Scorpion rollout was a huge industry push, with Drake being forced down people’s throats. However, Drake does not seem to remember that.

As for the allegations that Kendrick used bots, well, that is impossible to say. “Not Like Us” was a mega-hit and was going to be a smash whether or not bots ever got involved. Kendrick’s new album GNX is the perfect example of how he can make a hit without ever mentioning Drake’s name. Only time will tell whether or not Drake’s petitions will prove to be successful. Or if they just completely backfire on him.

[Via]

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Slim Thug Hopes That Drake Beats UMG & Spotify In Their Legal Dispute

December 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

One of the most controversial chapters of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle actually has nothing to do with it. Instead, it’s about the latter filing a legal petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify. The 6ix God accused UMG (his label) and the streaming service of artificially boosting Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” diss track against Drizzy, and this move caused a firestorm within hip-hop culture and beyond. But some folks out there are all for it, such as Slim Thug.

“Drake suing them people? I hope the n***a win,” Slim Thug expressed during a recent Instagram Live session. “‘Cause they say, if he sue them people, them labels gon’ have to FDCA-approve that s**t, however you say that s**t, whatever it is. So they can stop them from f***ing buying up all the playlist, the major labels. He ain’t lying, though. Drake ain’t lying. Them n***as be buying that s**t up.”

Slim Thug Speaks On Drake’s Petition

Slim Thug says he hopes Drake wins his petition against UMG pic.twitter.com/ZYPM2ACMQG

— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) December 7, 2024

“I don’t think [that’s what the petition’s about],” Slim Thug answered when his friend asked whether Drake’s petition relates to Kendrick Lamar accusing him of inappropriate behavior with minors, and about how Drizzy’s own team probably ran numbers up artificially or benefitted from that alleged practice. “I think he’s suing Universal for running up old boy’s numbers. Yeah, I don’t know. I’m sure he know because he probably benefitted off of that s**t for so long, working with old boy. So that’s good, though, yeah, get all that s**t out the way. Let the independent n***as get back up, ’cause they got that s**t so monopolized. Yeah, I hope the n***a wins. S**t, I hope we can be independent and don’t have to deal with all of those labels buying all the playlists up. This s**t for sale. Ain’t nothing real no more. Everything is motherf***ing fake now.”

Elsewhere, Drake is also thinking about where else to get his money, as he allegedly considering buying shares in Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt that previously belonged to Dame Dash. So he’s not just placing all his bets on this petition. But as much as Slim Thug knows how good this specific move could be for the industry at large, it will still be a huge risk, not as simple of a solution as he assumes, and a massive backpedal from one of the industry’s most profitable leaders.

[via]

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Dame Dash Has A Surprising Take On Drake’s Legal Action Against UMG & Spotify

December 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Dame Dash has previously been quite supportive of Drake, even inviting him to purchase his stake in Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt. But that doesn’t mean that he’s automatically going to cosign everything the 6ix God does, as he recently had some interesting thoughts on his legal petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify. Moreover, the former Roc-A-Fella executive’s latest episode of his America Nu Network show saw him theorize that the Toronto superstar knew of all these alleged practices to boost streams and engage in payola well before this legal move. Basically, Dame is calling him a hypocrite and an opportunist.

“If he’s – to me, outside, objectively – if he’s thinking they did it or he knows they did it, it must have meant potentially they may have done it on his behalf before,” Dame Dash said of Drake’s situation and his allegations against his label and the streaming service. “Or he must have seen it done to know that could even exist. It’s probably alright when it’s rocking for you, but when they used it against you, it could be a trigger.

Dame Dash Comments On Drake’s Petition

“When you’re doing alright, they rocking with you, and they play tricks on people and do all types of stuff,” Dame Dash continued concerning Drake. “But when you’re not doing alright, they use the same things that helped you to hurt you. And that’s the problem with being dependent on them ’cause you’re subject to their temperament. So I could see where he was triggered to do that, but the timing of it all, I could see where there could be some recourse for him, a little backlash. ‘Cause it could look like he’s being a sore loser even though he knows they’re using it to leverage him to maybe cheat him out of some bread.”

With all this mind, Dame Dash basically posited that Drake and UMG had a falling out that is the real reason for this legal petition, not the alleged stream-boosting strategies. He knows a thing or two about legal trouble, so it will be interesting to see if future information changes this perspective. In any case, the OVO mogul has all eyes on him right now.

[via]

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UMG Reposts Kendrick Lamar Tour Dates Amidst Drake Legal Battle

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake has seemingly made enemies on all sides. He was dissed by countless other superstars, and now he’s taking legal action against his own label, Universal Music Group. The rapper alleges that the record label boosted streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss “Not Like Us.” Lamar is also part of the UMG family, and he recently announced the Grand National Tour with SZA. Instead of staying out of the Drake and Lamar conflict, the label decided to show their support for the latter via social media.

Kendrick Lamar released the tour dates via Instagram on December 3. The dates span North America, and will be a co-headline tour with his former TDE label mate, SZA. Fans everywhere flocked to the IG comment section to voice their excitement. UMG decided to get in on the fun, and reposted the cover image and the tour dates for Grand National. It makes sense that UMG would want to promote artists who net them major profit, and Lamar has had a banner year thanks to “Not Like Us.” Still, it’s easy to look at what the label is doing as a subtle slight to Drake.

Kendrick Lamar’s pgLang Has A Deal With UMG

Universal Music Group issued a statement shortly after Drake made his lawsuit plans public. The label denied any wrongdoing in the promotion of Lamar’s single. Furthermore, they criticized the 6 God and implied that Lamar was simply more popular with listeners. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns,” UMG stated. “No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”

The Grand National Tour has also garnered intrigue from Drake haters for its Toronto date. Lamar and SZA are set to perform in the 6 God’s hometown on June 14, which is just a few days short of Father’s Day. Lamar repeatedly bashed Drake for his parenting skills throughout their battle. He went as far as to allege that Drizzy has a daughter that he’s hiding from the world. Fans theorize that Lamar has chosen his Toronto date as an additional dig. Regardless of the intention, UMG appears to be onboard with the Compton icon.

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Best Comments On HotNewHipHop From The Drake & Kendrick Lamar Saga

December 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Throughout 2024, one of the biggest stories in the world has been the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Overall, it all started out with Lamar’s “Like That” verse and it eventually got even testier with “Push Up,” “Euphoria,” “Family Matters,” “Meet The Grahams,” and “Not Like Us.” Although there were other songs in the feud, none of them were as impactful as the ones mentioned above.

Of course, the biggest song to come out of this was “Not Like Us” which comes complete with some wild allegations against Drake. Now, Drake is targeting UMG for their promotion of the song, and he is even going after them for defamation. This has caused a firestorm of hate against the Canadian artist, with many claiming that this is a sore loser move. Others, however, are on his side and believe he is fighting for the greater good.

Today, we are jumping into the HotNewHipHop comments section, to see how people are reacting to the Drake-Kendrick Lamar saga.

HotNewHipHop Commenters Wade Into Drake Kendrick Lamar

As you can see from many of the comments above, most fans are on the side of Kendrick Lamar, as they believe that Drake is making a weak move. After all, a lawsuit of this magnitude in a rap beef is almost unprecedented. In many ways, the story almost doesn’t feel real. Not to mention, the timing is odd given the release of Kendrick Lamar’s sensational new album, GNX.

The Disappointment In Drake Is Real

In some other comments, fans expressed sheer disappointment with the route Drake is taking. While some of our commenters are not Drake fans, they also never thought that the artist would stoop down to a litigious level. Overall, there is some very real shock here, and the disappointment is palpable. However, one has to wonder if Drake even cares. At the end of the day, he feels as though his reputation and his ability to earn has been tarnished. Although his stance isn’t popular, it can be understandable.

OnlyFacts Loves Himself Some Drake

Our resident Drake stan OnlyFacts also had quite a bit to say about all of this. In his comments, OnlyFacts took some brave stances on Drake’s behalf, to the point where one might question whether or not they might be working for OVO. Either way, it is good to see at least some sort of balance in the comments section. OnlyFacts is a neutralizing force and if you speak ill of Drizzy, prepare for his wrath to find you.

The Hate Continues

To wrap things up, Drake is not a popular man right now and it is easy to understand why this might be the case. Overall, litigation in rap beef just isn’t a very popular stance to take. Whether or not it is justified, is another story entirely.

However, if there is one thing for certain here, it is that our comments section remains filled with some unique characters.

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CNN Likens Drake To A “Karen” While Discussing UMG Legal Battle

December 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake stock is at an all time low in terms of public opinion. The hip hop world has all but rejected him after he announced plans to sue UMG and Spotify. The rapper alleges that the two companies worked in tandem to boost the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss record, “Not Like Us.” Drake supporters have tried to rationalize this legal action, but the bulk of hip hop fans have effectively dubbed him a hypocrite and a whiner. It got worse on Monday, December 2. CNN aired coverage of the rapper’s legal battle, and their anchors proceeded to dig into him as well.

CNN played footage from the “Not Like Us” music video. As the video package transitioned to the lead anchor, the network’s take on the situation became clear. The anchor, like so many people online, feels that Drake is being overly sensitive about losing the Lamar battle. “This may be the hip hop equivalent of asking to speak with a manager.” The notion of speaking with a manager is a joke that’s tied to the Karen meme that has taken off in the last decade. The CNN anchor didn’t say the name “Karen,” but in posing Drake as someone who asks for a manager, he’s indirectly making the parallel.

CNN Panelist Mocked Drake’s Decision To Sue His Label

This is not the first time a TV analyst has mocked Drake’s legal situation. Last week, Kendrick Lamar’s smash single “TV Off” played during the commercial break for TNT’s Inside the NBA. When the show returned, guest panelist Jalen Rose commented on the song choice. He alluded to the fact that Drake plans to sue over a Kendrick Lamar song, and quipped that TNT should try to avoid further legal action. “I don’t know if y’all should be playing that Kendrick,” Rose noted. “Y’all gonna get a lawsuit up here.” The same day the CNN clip aired, Drake was made Donkey of the Day by Charlamagne Tha God on the radio show The Breakfast Club.

“Stop acting like you haven’t been the beneficiary of record label tricknology,” Charlamagne asserted. “You being a whole h*e simply because you lost. Simply because Kendrick Lamar kicked yo a* lyrically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. And anybody acting like this is anything more than Drake’s feelings being hurt, you a he, too. An OV-He to be exact.” Drake’s case against UMG has been yet to formally launched, but it’s clear he has been deemed the guilty party in the court of public opinion. Tough.

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Nicki Minaj Throws Shots At Spotify Amidst Drake’s UMG Legal Drama

December 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Nicki Minaj was not messing around on Monday. The rapper got on Twitter shortly after it was announced that Spotify would be releasing its Wrapped data later than usual. Fans were perplexed by the delay, and many theorized it may have to do with accusations that Drake recently leveled at the streaming platform. The 6 God alleged that Spotify and UMG were in cahoots to boost Kendrick Lamar’s streaming numbers using bots. Evidently, Nicki Minaj is supporting Drake’s cause. She questioned why Spotify was taking so long with its data. She also alluded to the platform lying.

“Show me the data,” she wrote on Monday afternoon. The rapper followed this ominous request up with a more damning comment. “Spotify ain’t gotta lie,” she explained. These critiques were intriguing, given that Nicki Minaj received two notable honors via Spotify the same exact day. She was the most streamed female rapper in November with 355 million streams. Minaj was also the most streamed female rapper of 2024 with 4.1 billion streams and counting. QC Worldwide claims the rapper is on pace to close out 2024 year with 4.5 billion streams.

Nicki Minaj Bashed Spotify For Prioritizing Drake In 2018

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A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

This is not the first time Nicki Minaj has gone after Spotify. The rapper has a history of clashing with streaming platforms, whether it be lack of promotion or perceived preferential treatment of her peers. The latter proved to be the case in 2018, when Minaj blasted Spotify for de-prioritizing her music so it could promote, of all people, Drake. “Spotify put Drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio,” she tweeted. “Even tho they’ve been giving away my music for free for years & I am one of the top Spotify artists of all time.”

Nicki Minaj’s relationship with Drake has been hit-and-miss over the years. The two have collaborated multiple times, but there have also been rumors of tension at different points in their career. Drake said as much on 2013’s “Tuscan Leather.” It appears as though both rappers are on the same page in 2024, however. They are presenting a united front against their critics and their combative peers. Based on the numbers, it seems to be working.

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Soulja Boy Relentlessly Trolls Drake & Plies Over Their Recent Legal Filings

December 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

If there’s anything that has been made crystal clear over these last few days is that filing legal documents against other rappers is a major no-no. Especially when it comes to artists of Drake’s caliber. Well, him and his team made that exact mistake, as the Canadian megastar is currently taking action against his own entertainment group, UMG, as well as Spotify and iHeartRadio. It’s all in relation to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” with Drizzy looking to prove that UMG and the streaming service have been artificially boosting stream. Additionally, he’s accusing the corporation of defamation because they allowed the ped*phile claims to make their way onto the viral diss track.

Also making others aware of how disgraceful it is to choose papers over bars is Plies. The veteran Florida rapper recently filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, Cardi B, and Soulja Boy, according to AllHipHop. He is alleging that the latter’s “Pretty Boy Swag” beat is the exact same as his 2008 track, “Me & My Goons.” Just to clarify, the three femcees are in this suit due to Big Glo sampling the instrumental from Soulja on her record, “Wanna Be.”

Soulja Boy Is Stunned Over Drake & Plies’ Legal Filings

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Throughout the course of his career, Soulja Boy has not been one to play with. He’s going to respond and call out his contemporaries no matter what. In fact, we saw just how far he will go earlier this year with Metro Boomin. Overall, the “Crank That” star is not too happy with Plies‘ approach, labeling him broke and affirming that the “Pretty Boy Swag” beat is original.

But it wasn’t just Plies catching heat, though. Drake, someone who Soulja seems to have a pretty wishy-washy relationship with, made sure to send some shots his way. “Draaake?” he said making a funny calllback to his viral Breakfast Club interview. “I know that n**** Drake ain’t out here suing n****s. Ain’t no way. I told y’all, you see the n**** Plies start suing a n****…” The Boy is not going to be in the clear for a while and maybe not ever, especially if he loses his case.

[Via] [Via] [Via]

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Charleston White Blasts Drake For UMG Lawsuit After Kendrick Lamar Battle

December 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Known for his controversial commentary, comedian Charleston White shared his opinion on Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group in a new interview released Saturday (Nov. 30). The Dallas native slammed Drizzy’s legal action over “Not Like Us,” calling the rap star “weak” for not accepting defeat in battle with Kendrick Lamar. “Weak a$$, yellow n***a cryin’, but he always had the Jews behind him; how is he claiming it’s unfair?” White tells Real Lyfe Street Starz. “Just enjoy the money. Let the little, short Kendrick have his win. Come on, all that money you got.”

White elaborated on his response, acknowledging Drake’s Memphis roots and white mother. “That’s ‘yellow’ kid with the white momma tryna come hang out in the Memphis projects with his black cousins and gotta stay on the porch. Cause they know you can’t go out there and play with them kids. Yeah, Aubrey, whatever that man’s name is. That man’s name says he is “weak.” Aubrey can’t play with no Kendrick. Kendrick Lamar been getting him up. You heard his story. That man grew up rough. Yeah, get yo a$$ back on that porch, Aubrey. F*ck wrong with you. Them kids will eat you alive.”

Charleston White Says Drake’s UMG Lawsuit Is “Weak”

Drake referenced his Memphis roots in the past on songs like “Worst Behavior.” In the song’s music video, Drizzy visited his family in Memphis and hung out with the city’s legends Three-Six Mafia. The 6 God’s lawsuit claims Universal Music Group helped damage his reputation using various “payola” tactics. According to UMG, the claims are false, and the rapper should sue his rival instead. Drake filed a second lawsuit against UMG in Texas court last week.

In the interview, White discusses his run-in with Dallas rap star Trapboy Freddy, religion, and his new movie role. The comedian is known to pepper spray his aggressors. Others to have beef with Charleston White in 2024 include T.I. and fellow comedian T.K. Kirkland.

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