Drake SL₳MS Kendrick Lamar After Losing $600M | Kendrick Played UMG | HO

Y’all it looks like Drake is poking the bear again and throwing shots at Kendrick after losing a $600 million deal with UMG!

So Drake thought he could pull a power move on Universal Music Group, the very same label that helped him become the superstar he is today.

But instead of playing his cards right, it looks like Drizzy played himself!

Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud is rapidly evolving into one of the most complex and heated rivalries in the music industry, and the stakes have never been higher. Recently, Drake filed lawsuits against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of artificially inflating Kendrick’s streaming numbers.

The source of this contention lies in the track “Not Like Us,” a diss track from Kendrick Lamar that Drake believes was promoted through bot-driven stream manipulation. But this legal battle has layers far beyond just business dealings, revealing deeper conflicts over power, influence, and legacy in the music industry.

The foundation of the conflict begins with Drake’s dissatisfaction with UMG, the powerhouse label that has been instrumental in his rise to superstardom. As one of UMG’s top stars, Drake has enjoyed immense privilege.

He locked in a groundbreaking deal worth over $400 million with the label, securing a level of financial backing that only a few artists in history can claim. But, as Drake began pushing for even more power, aiming for a $600 million deal, UMG seemingly drew a line in the sand, refusing to meet his demands.

This tension boiled over when Drake filed his first lawsuit, accusing UMG of teaming up with Spotify to artificially inflate streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed squarely at Drake. In this lawsuit, Drake claims that the track’s streaming figures were manipulated through bot activity to give Kendrick’s song an edge, suggesting a conspiracy between UMG and Spotify to favor Kendrick over him. Drake alleges that UMG, once his partner, betrayed him by undermining his success to boost Kendrick’s reputation.

Adding fuel to the fire, Drake’s second lawsuit targets the release of Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” accusing UMG of allowing Kendrick to defame him in the song without intervention. Drake takes particular issue with Kendrick’s lyrics, which refer to him with accusations of being a “certified PDF file” — a coded reference to an alleged criminal act. The suggestion that UMG allowed this defamatory track to be released without taking action has only exacerbated the rift between Drake and his former label.

Drake’s actions in court have sent shockwaves through the music industry, raising questions about the nature of power within UMG and the wider music business. For years, UMG treated Drake like a golden boy, giving him almost carte blanche in his dealings with the label. But when Drake pushed too hard for an even bigger deal, he overplayed his hand. UMG’s response was to remind Drake who is truly in control of the industry’s biggest label.

Behind the scenes, it appears that Drake misunderstood the nature of his relationship with UMG CEO Lucian Grange, the man widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in music. Their relationship was based on business, not friendship, and as Drake became more aggressive in his demands, UMG pushed back.

Grange has long been considered a kingmaker in the music business, and his relationship with Drake was always transactional, despite Drake’s belief that he was a trusted partner. When Grange refused to give Drake what he wanted, Drake’s retaliation came in the form of lawsuits.

But even as Drake launched his legal battles, UMG was already moving to distance itself from any further legal entanglements. Lucian Grange’s name surfaced in other high-profile lawsuits, most notably in the case filed by Lil Rod against Diddy, where accusations of industry manipulation and financial backing from UMG surfaced.

However, less than three months after Lil Rod’s case was filed, the lawsuit was quietly dropped from UMG’s involvement, likely due to the label’s massive legal resources and the weight of its influence. It seemed that UMG was adept at keeping its name clean while its artists were fighting public battles.

But now, with Drake stoking the flames of controversy with his lawsuits, UMG is being dragged back into the drama. Sources close to the label say that Drake’s legal moves have put him in a precarious position, one that could lead to even greater problems down the line. Despite his status as one of the biggest stars in the world, Drake may have underestimated the power of UMG, and his lawsuits could have unintended consequences.

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake is only intensifying. Kendrick has hinted at uncovering more secrets in the music industry, and Drake’s claims against UMG have only added fuel to the fire. As Kendrick continues to gain respect in the industry and from fans, Drake is coming under increasing pressure.

His claims of being slighted by UMG and his accusations against Kendrick have only made him look more vulnerable. Insiders have suggested that Kendrick is positioning himself as the anti-Drake, distancing himself from the drama that Drake has fostered and focusing on building a legacy that isn’t mired in scandal.

The ongoing battle has led to a massive shift in Drake’s relationship with his label and the music industry at large. The fallout from these lawsuits could have serious ramifications, not just for Drake, but for the entire industry. If Drake’s accusations are proven true, it could expose deep flaws in the way streaming numbers are handled and the extent to which major labels like UMG have manipulated the system for their own gain. On the other hand, if Drake’s claims are dismissed as frivolous, it could mark the beginning of the end for his relationship with UMG and his position as one of the most powerful artists in the world.

What’s next for Drake? Sources suggest that the rapper is preparing for a brand new diss track during his upcoming Australian tour, which could escalate the conflict even further. If the rumors are true, this track won’t just target Kendrick Lamar but will also take aim at UMG itself. With tensions running high, it’s unclear whether Drake’s decision to continue poking the bear is a smart one. The music world is closely watching, and it’s only a matter of time before the full ramifications of these lawsuits and the escalating feud come to light.

One thing is certain: the power dynamics in the music industry are shifting. UMG is reminding Drake that no matter how high he rises, they are the ones in control of his career, and they won’t hesitate to remind him of that. As for Kendrick Lamar, he seems to be positioning himself as the next big thing, gaining momentum as Drake’s star begins to tarnish. The drama is far from over, and it’s clear that the world of hip-hop is about to witness some major shakeups.