S Poddar
The current ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar took an unexpected turn when Drake turned his back on the rapper, pointing the accusing finger now at Universal Music Group, claiming that the label was unfair to promote the rapper’s latest diss track more than his music. The feud that has long festered between these hip-hop heavyweights has been complicated with claims that the label plays a behind-the-scenes role in escalating their rivalry.
In an explosive legal filing recently obtained by The Independent, Drake alleges UMG secretly manipulated streaming algorithms to give Lamar’s diss track preferential streaming, the offending line of which accuses Drake of being a “certified pedophile.” Meanwhile, Drake claims the label has intentionally suppressed his music in favor of Lamar’s. This makes for an especially charged battle between the two artists.
However, sources close to the situation indicate that Drake’s frustration is not so much with Lamar’s lyrics as it is with business practices allegedly questionable by the record label. According to one insider, “Drake is more upset about the way Universal Music Group has handled things behind closed doors, rather than Kendrick’s latest diss.” The same source suggests that Drake feels that he is being singled out by the label, which has reportedly leaned in favor of Lamar in recent months. Again, tensions between Drake and Kendrick Lamar are nothing new. The two have been trading insults at each other through their music for years, but a recently surfaced incident of streaming number manipulation over the federal holiday weekend added a different dimension to the rivalry, and one that hints there is more going on than just lyrical beef.
In his pleading, Drake says that in several instances, UMG has made Lamar’s own music an uneven playing field, resulting in him somewhat ahead of the other in terms of ranking and stream count. The rapper alleges that there were deliberate suppression of his tracks, so his frustration over how his recent releases lacked visibility and recognition. In the meantime, his rival’s diss track, which flaunts direct insults towards Drake, has apparently gained millions of streams, fuelling his suspicions further.
It has been escalating in the past few months, and both rappers have taken shots at each other publicly.
Kendrick Lamar’s latest diss track was creating a stir for its harsh lyrics, especially the line calling Drake a “certified pedophile,” a reference to previous rumors about the rapper’s personal life. While Drake has not directly responded to the accusation, his legal filings suggest that he views Lamar’s words as part of a broader scheme, with UMG allegedly working behind the scenes to stoke the flames of their rivalry. Long known for his calculated approach to both his music and his public persona, Drake is reflecting the wider trend in the music industry: artists feel beleaguered by record labels and corporate interests as much as they are by each other. With success more or less decided upon by streaming numbers, the pressure to remain visible and relevant has never been higher. Other allegations against UMG also come at an interesting time for the music industry, as increasing scrutiny is heaped upon business practice in the industry, particularly with regards to streamers and record labels and how they contribute to artists’ success. With the rise of independent musicians and alternative distribution channels, the question of the role major labels play in artists’ careers is increasingly being questioned by artists themselves.
For Drake, the situation appears to be about something more than the music.
Moreover, among other complaints, he vents frustration over the label’s decision to sever ties with some of his allies, a move he believes is part of a broader strategy to support Lamar and suppress his influence in the industry.
This, he claims, further complicated the dynamic between him and Kendrick Lamar to the point that the feud has been turned into a corporate game. It is not over yet; the continued saga of Drake and Kendrick Lamar. This is far from a simple clash of egos or lyrical battles. It’s also a sort of reflection of the power play in place within the music industry, as the move by a record label can have rippling effects on an artist.
While exactly how this legal saga plays out is anyone’s guess, what is certain is that the battle between Drake and Lamar is now about much, much more than music.
