Drake has settled his legal dispute with iHeartMedia over allegations that the media giant received illicit payments to boost radio airplay for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” However, conflicting statements from both sides suggest the controversy is far from resolved.
The rapper initially accused iHeartMedia of benefiting from under-the-table deals made by Universal Music Group (UMG), the parent label for both artists. Filed in November, Drake’s petition claimed the company unfairly favored Lamar’s track, escalating an already heated feud between the two hip-hop icons.
On Saturday, iHeartMedia released a statement saying the case was dismissed after they provided documents proving they had done nothing wrong. The company emphasized that no payments were exchanged in the settlement. Drake’s legal team, however, disputed this claim, stating that iHeartMedia had yet to present any evidence to back up its innocence.
“This back and forth is silly,” iHeartMedia responded in a follow-up statement. “Drake dropped the petition. We did nothing wrong. End of story.”
Drake’s Legal Battle with UMG Continues
Despite dropping the case against iHeartMedia, Drake remains locked in a high-stakes legal battle with UMG. His petition, filed in Texas, alleges that the music label knowingly promoted a song, album art, and music video that falsely accused him of being a sex offender.
UMG has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, with a hearing now scheduled for March 24. Meanwhile, in a separate defamation case in New York, Drake’s legal team successfully blocked UMG’s attempt to delay the pretrial process. His attorneys called the ruling a significant victory, stating it was another indication that UMG “cannot run from or bury the truth.”
A Feud That Keeps Escalating
The battle between Drake and Lamar has become one of the most explosive rivalries in hip-hop history. While both artists have exchanged lyrical blows in their music, the conflict has now spilled into courtrooms, with high-profile lawsuits adding to the tension.
Lamar, who headlined the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 9, has largely remained silent on the legal drama. However, “Not Like Us” has continued to dominate airwaves, earning him five Grammy Awards and fueling speculation about further diss tracks.
As the legal war rages on, fans are left wondering whether the rap titans will ever settle their differences—or if this battle is just getting started.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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