Drake and iHeartMedia have finally reached a settlement after months of legal tension, bringing some closure to one of the many battles sparked by his heated rap feud with Kendrick Lamar. While details remain under wraps, Drake’s legal team confirmed the resolution, stating, “We are pleased that the parties were able to reach a settlement satisfactory to both sides, and have no further comment on this matter.” This move effectively removes iHeartMedia from the equation, but Universal Music Group (UMG), Drake’s label, remains in the legal spotlight.
This all started when Drake, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, filed a legal petition in Texas last November. Though it wasn’t a full-fledged lawsuit, it was a significant step in that direction. The petition accused UMG of engaging in “irregular and inappropriate business practices” to boost Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” by securing additional airtime on the radio.
Payola Scandal?
One of the biggest bombshells in Drake’s claims was that UMG allegedly paid San Antonio-based iHeartMedia to promote Lamar’s track—an illegal practice known as payola. For those unfamiliar, payola is when labels or artists make under-the-table payments to radio stations to secure more spins, which is a serious offense in the music industry. Interestingly, iHeartMedia is already under investigation by the Federal Communications Commission for other payola-related allegations. However, they remained silent on this particular claim, declining to comment when approached by HuffPost.
Drake’s legal documents argued that UMG was well aware that “Not Like Us” was more than just another diss track. According to him, the song, its album art, and the accompanying music video weren’t just musical jabs—they were full-blown attacks on his character. The lyrics didn’t hold back, accusing Drake of being a “certified pedophile” and a “predator.” The track even suggested that his name should be “registered and placed on neighborhood watch.”
Kendrick Lamar’s Victory Lap
Lamar, on the other hand, has been thriving in the aftermath of this controversy. His track “Not Like Us” not only became an anthem of the beef but also earned him five Grammy Awards. To add insult to injury, he performed it during the Super Bowl halftime show last month, throwing subtle (and not-so-subtle) jabs at Drake while on one of the biggest stages in entertainment.
But the rap beef didn’t just stay in the world of diss tracks and music charts—it spilled over into courtrooms. Earlier this year, in January, Drake escalated the fight by filing a full-blown defamation lawsuit against UMG, demanding a jury trial. This time, Lamar himself wasn’t named as a defendant, but the accusations against UMG were scathing.
The Core of Drake’s Lawsuit
Drake’s argument? That UMG wasn’t just passively allowing Lamar to release the diss track—they were actively promoting and profiting from false allegations that could destroy his career.
“UMG may spin this complaint as a rap beef gone legal, but this lawsuit is not about a war of words between artists,” the suit states. “It is, instead, entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false, but dangerous.”
UMG, of course, denied all allegations. In a previous statement to HuffPost, a spokesperson fired back, calling the claims “not only untrue” but also completely illogical. “The notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—let alone Drake—is illogical,” the statement read. “We have invested massively in his music, and our employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.”
What’s Next?
With iHeartMedia out of the picture, the real battle now lies between Drake and UMG. The lawsuit could have major implications for the music industry, potentially exposing shady label tactics that have long been suspected but rarely proven in court.
As for the rap feud itself, it’s clear that this is more than just a lyrical battle—it’s personal, it’s legal, and it’s far from over. Whether Drake will walk away vindicated or if this will just be another chapter in the ever-evolving drama of hip-hop rivalries remains to be seen. Either way, the industry—and the fans—are watching closely.
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