During a livestream with Toronto rapper and Drake associate Top5, Kanye openly admitted to using flows made popular by the 6 God. “The thing about Drake’s music is he ain’t got shit where he copies what I do. I’ll have copied a Drake flow a lot of times. I got shit that once Drake took over the algorithm was copies of Drake,” he said.

For an artist who’s often viewed as the trendsetter, this kind of acknowledgment is rare. But instead of fueling their longtime rivalry, Ye seems to be focused on unity.

He’s also been vocal about his support for Drake in the rapper’s ongoing legal fight with Universal Music Group. In a video posted to X, Kanye expressed how meaningful the moment is for the music industry. “Yo, I’m so happy right now, you don’t understand. With this UMG, Drake, Kendrick situation, Super Bowl, Grammys, this s*** was driving me and you know where it should be driving me, but this is the biggest victory in music history right here,” he said.

Kanye ended the video by pledging his full support to both Drake and Kendrick Lamar. “I’m never finna call Drake out of his name. I’m team Drake, 100 percent. And team Kendrick and team all of us. Kendrick needs to be going at UMG at this point.”

This could mark a new chapter for Ye and potentially the end of one of hip-hop’s most high-profile feuds.

Drake Teases New Album Amid Legal Battle with Universal

Additionally, Drake and Yeat have also partnered up on “As We Speak,” which was a standout track from the Portland rapper’s 2093 project.

Nonetheless, Drake recently announced that he’s in the process of releasing some music of his own after dropping his duo album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. In a live stream with Adin Ross, the Toronto rapper declared that his next project is going to “slap.” “Working on a new album,” he stated, prior to saying that it will be a solo release. “It’s a slap.”

Aside from Drake’s music endeavors, the rapper is currently in a legal battle with Universal Music Group. The 6 God is suing his record label for defamation stemming from the company’s alleged role of defaming him through Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Notably, Drake claimed that Kendrick Lamar’s highly televised Super Bowl Halftime Show is evidence of his alleged defamation. He argues that Kendrick censoring out the word “pedophile” during his performance of “Not Like Us” has strengthened his case.

The tour’s first stop was Perth, and as he was closing out, he left the audience with a bold statement: “My name is Drake. I started in 2008, I came all the way from Toronto, Canada,” he said in a clip recorded by fans. He continued, “The year is now 2025, and Drizzy Drake is very much still alive.”

Drake’s declaration could possibly be a response to a precarious 2024 and his notorious rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. Despite Kendrick’s Grammy sweep for “Not Like Us,” Drizzy still stuck to the script for his show and carried out his trademark, walking through the audience to get on-stage. A clip surfaced of Drake and Chubbs pursuing the walk while the instrumental to “Over My Dead Body” played in the background.

Drake’s Symbolic Return, a Long-Awaited Tour, and a Valentine’s Day Surprise

As fans cheered for the rapper’s return, some could not ignore the possible symbolism in his choice of outfit. One fan wrote, “Hoodie is symbolic.” “They emptied the clip but he still standing.” Drake’s Anita Max Wynn Tour resumes Wednesday (Feb. 5) in Perth before making stops in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland. This marks his first Australian tour run since 2017.

In other news, Drake and PartyNextDoor are set to drop their highly anticipated duo project on Valentine’s Day. On Monday (February 3), Drizzy announced the release of the project through an Instagram post. He captioned the clip: “$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U FEBRUARY 14.” The video captures Drake deep in thought at a shadowy speakeasy, quietly sipping his drink while the buzz of conversation fills the air.

They argue that the performance ventured into unexplored legal territory, portraying it as an uncommon instance of character defamation on one of television’s most prestigious stages. The revised complaint highlights Kendrick’s choice to steer clear of the word “pedophile” in his performance—an omission Drake cites as bolstering his defamation case. It also points to Kendrick’s Grammy sweep for “Not Like Us,” emphasizing the track’s primetime reach to 15 million viewers, a level of visibility Drake argues was only possible through UMG’s tacit approval.

Drake softens bot claims as UMG pushes back, warning of legal fallout

Originally, Drake’s lawsuit accused UMG of employing bots to artificially inflate streaming numbers for “Not Like Us,” based on unverified statements from an anonymous source on a social media platform. However, in his revised claims, he has softened his stance regarding the bots, suggesting that UMG was aware of third-party manipulation and chose to ignore it, despite having the ability to intervene.

Drake’s legal representatives have expressed confidence in the amended complaint, stating, “This filing fortifies an already robust case. UMG’s public relations tactics and attempts to evade transparency cannot obscure the underlying facts.” They emphasized that as the legal process advances, evidence of UMG’s alleged misconduct will be unveiled, holding the label accountable for its decisions.

In response, UMG issued a detailed statement addressing the accusations, asserting that Drake, a highly successful artist with a 16-year collaborative history with the label, is being misguided by his attorneys. They remarked on the withdrawal of a prior legal petition filed in Texas, stating that Drake’s team had “quietly dropped” the case after an initial public announcement. UMG further criticized the amended defamation lawsuit, claiming it reflects a shift from earlier assertions made by Drake’s counsel, which they argue were baseless. They cautioned Drake, indicating that while he may celebrate minor legal victories, he could face significant repercussions if the lawsuit continues, warning that he would be subject to discovery processes.

On Tuesday (March 4), Judge Jeanette Vargas dismissed UMG’s request to stall discovery in a defamation suit alleging it engineered a viral hit. The ruling followed Drake’s Texas court motion to depose a UMG executive and obtain records clarifying whether the label acted as a conduit or discreetly bankrolled radio promotion. Drake’s legal team addressed the verdict in a statement provided to HOT 97: “We are pleased with the Court’s decision to reject UMG’s continued attempts to stall discovery—another clear sign that UMG cannot run from or bury the truth. This ruling, along with our motion for discovery in Texas yesterday, together represent major steps forward in holding UMG accountable to shareholders and artists for their repeated and egregious actions.”

Drake Fights UMG in Court, Demands Discovery on “Payola” Claims

Shifting gears, in Texas state court, UMG moved to throw out Drake’s petition under the Texas Citizens Participation Act—a law designed to quickly block lawsuits curbing free speech—claiming its promotion of “Not Like Us” falls under First Amendment protections.

Drake, citing the same statute, argues he’s entitled to discovery to challenge whether UMG qualifies for those safeguards. His demands include deposing a company executive on the label’s marketing strategy, promotional deals with iHeartMedia and streaming platforms, influencer partnerships, and financial statements detailing profits tied to the song. In the court documents, viewed by HOT 97, it read, “Without this discovery, Drake cannot fairly test or refute the factual basis for UMG’s claims that, for example, it was acting merely as a ‘clearinghouse’ in promoting the song, or that it was not doing so in its ‘capacity as a seller’ of goods or services,” wrote John Zavitsanos, one of Drake’s attorneys.

Additionally, a recent development may strengthen Drake’s case against UMG in the Southern District of New York. The Federal Communications Commission revealed last week it is investigating whether iHeartMedia is pressuring artists to perform at its upcoming country music festival for little or no pay, potentially violating regulations that mandate broadcasters disclose payments tied to airplay. This investigation ties into Drake’s “payola” lawsuit against UMG, which accuses the label of secretly paying radio stations to promote “Not Like Us” while withholding this information from the public.

Drake recently accused UMG of defamation, alleging that the company enabled the release of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” which he claims falsely accuses him of being a sex offender. In his legal petition, Drake’s lawyers argued that UMG could have blocked or altered the track but instead chose to amplify its reach.

“UMG designed, financed, and executed a plan to turn “Not Like Us” into a viral mega-hit,” the filing states, accusing the label of profiting from Drake’s harm to drive consumer hysteria and revenue.

Appearing on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe, Wiz Khalifa expressed little surprise at Drake’s decision to pursue legal action. “That’s a Drake move,” Khalifa remarked. “He’s a musician and a businessman. If he’s not winning in the public eye musically, he’s going to find another way to win. It’s smart, in my opinion.”

The feud between Drake and Lamar has escalated in recent months through a series of diss tracks, but Drake’s court filings mark an unusual turn for hip-hop, where disputes rarely spill into legal arenas. Filed on November 25 in Manhattan, the first petition from Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC accuses UMG of orchestrating a “scheme” to manipulate streaming platforms and airwaves using bots, payola, and other tactics to make “Not Like Us“ go viral.

“UMG did not rely on chance or ordinary business practices,” Drake’s attorneys wrote.

Instead, the company allegedly ran a targeted campaign to dominate the digital landscape with the song. Drake’s legal team also accused UMG of violating federal RICO laws, typically associated with organized crime, as well as engaging in misleading business practices and false advertising under New York state law. The allegations paint a picture of a calculated effort to harm Drake’s reputation while boosting Lamar’s visibility.

The court battle highlights the high stakes of their rivalry, which has captivated fans and industry insiders alike. While legal action is a rare development in hip-hop feuds, it has drawn commentary from several celebrities, with Khalifa among the first to applaud Drake’s strategy. As the dispute heads to court, it underscores how modern rap battles increasingly intertwine music, business, and legal maneuvering.

Drake, known for giving props to artists on all levels, didn’t hesitate to support him. During a livestream with Adin Ross, DDG joined the chat, and the timing lined up for a surprise FaceTime with Drake. Their conversation was positive and lighthearted. “Congrats on your album!” Drake told him. DDG responded with a simple, “Appreciate it brother.”

Things got even more entertaining when Drake teased Adin Ross for not checking out the album, even though he’s often around DDG on stream. DDG jokingly asked Drake if all his friends listen to his music. Drake answered, “yeah,” leaving Adin to laugh awkwardly and try to defend himself.

The two rappers also mentioned their previous basketball matchup, agreeing they needed to run it back. DDG once shared that he got beat badly by Drake at The Embassy, the rapper’s private court.

Toward the end of the call, Drake dropped a subtle update on his next solo project. He said he’s currently in the “countryside” working on the album, which fans believe will be called Iceman. Drake had first mentioned it on his Anita Max Wynn tour, promising that when the time is right, he’ll return with “a one-on-one conversation” fans “need to hear.” The album remains a mystery, but anticipation is clearly building.

On Wednesday  (January 15), the Toronto rapper filed a lawsuit accusing the label of perpetuating a “false and malicious narrative” that he is a pedophile. The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s scathing  diss track “Not Like Us.”

“This lawsuit is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us,’” Drake’s suit reads. “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.”

In a fiery response, UMG claims that Drake’s accusations have no merit.

“Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist — let alone Drake — is illogical,” UMG’s statement read. “We have invested massively in his music. and ur employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.”

“Throughout his career, Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to engage in conventionally outrageous back-and-forth ‘rap battles’ to express his feelings about other artists,” the statement continued. He now seeks to weaponize the legal process to silence an artist’s creative expression. And to seek damages from UMG for distributing that artist’s music.  

UMG plans to marshall their resources to fight the lawsuit.

“We have not and do not engage in defamation — against any individual,” the statement concludes. “At the same time, we will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation. As well as any artist who might directly or indirectly become a frivolous litigation target for having done nothing more that write a song.”

Interestingly, Drake’s lawsuit follows an agreement that was reached between him, UMG, and Spotify on Tuesday (January 14). As HOT97 previously reported, Drake’s team withdrew his legal petition in New York. All parties involved “voluntarily discontinued the case without imposing costs on any involved party.”

“The petitioner hereby voluntarily discontinues […] without costs to any party,” the documents read.

Originally filed in November, Drake’s attorneys believed they have procured  “sufficient evidence to pursue a defamation case against the label.” 

Drake’s legal petition that was filed in Texas is still on the table. The filing accuses iHeartRadio of financially benefiting from payola in connection with Universal Music Group to push “Not Like Us” onto the airwaves. 

According to reports, Drake contends that UMG knowingly released K.Dot’s now-Grammy-nominated track, which he asserts falsely labels him as a sex offender. The rapper argues he has gathered sufficient evidence to pursue a defamation case against the label. On a recent episode of the Rap Latte Podcast, co-host Curtis King dismissed Drake’s assertions, noting that Kendrick avoids directly labeling the OVO star a pedophile. Instead, King argued, the plural phrasing appears aimed at figures within Drake’s inner circle.

Punch then took to X to share his reaction, stating, “You cooking Curtis. I was wondering when would ppl pick up on that.”

Nonetheless, Drake’s legal clash with UMG is advancing, with hearings scheduled for December and January in Bexar County court. Documents revealed that on December 20, a judge will consider his request to question figures from iHeartRadio and UMG over alleged misconduct tied to Kendrick’s acclaimed diss.

Drake Targets Alleged Industry Manipulation in Legal Crossfire

Additionally, Drake is entangled in another legal battle over “Not Like Us,” this one unfolding in New York. A January 16, 2025, court decision will determine whether Spotify and UMG must retain correspondence tied to the track’s marketing efforts.

In Manhattan’s courts on November 25, Drake’s attorneys initiated a “pre-action” petition, accusing UMG of employing bots, payola schemes, and other tactics to artificially boost the chart-topping hit. His legal team wrote, “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices.” “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”

The lawsuit accuses the label of orchestrating a scheme to manipulate search results, reportedly paying Spotify to highlight “Not Like Us” when users looked for entirely different songs. It further alleges that UMG influenced Siri to steer listeners away from Drake’s catalog, instead promoting the track in its place. The filing also asserts that fake accounts were deployed to inflate the song’s streaming statistics.

The Texas lawsuit expands its focus by implicating iHeartRadio, suggesting the media giant might have benefited from alleged payola tied to Universal Music Group in pushing “Not Like Us” onto the airwaves. Universal, meanwhile, has firmly rejected the accusations leveled by Drake.

Rogan, whose podcast ranks among the most influential globally, expressed interest in discussing Drake’s betting strategies, particularly for boxing and MMA fights.

“I need to get in touch with Drake and talk about his fight picks,” Rogan said on a recent episode. “That guy loses more money on fights… I feel like I need to call him up.”

While Rogan’s producer reminded him of Drake’s significant wins—such as his nearly $500,000 bet on Jon Jones, who defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309—Rogan brushed it off, calling it an obvious outcome. “That’s what I would have picked anyway,” he said. “It was an easy bet.”

Drake’s gambling record has indeed been volatile. In 2022, he famously lost $2 million betting on Israel Adesanya. This year, he waved goodbye to $355,000 after Mike Tyson’s unexpected loss to Jake Paul. Yet, it’s not all bad news.

Earlier in 2023, Drake won over $1 million when Alex Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill in a UFC title fight. Back in 2022, he secured a $3.7 million payout after successfully predicting wins for Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann at UFC London.

In addition to sports, Drake remains a prominent figure in pop culture controversies. His recent accusations against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us, have sparked widespread discussion. The explosive feud has captivated the hip-hop world, and Rogan hinted at exploring it further should Drake ever appear on his show.

Meanwhile, producer Scott Storch added another layer to the Drake narrative. The hitmaker revealed his frustrations over failed attempts to collaborate with the Toronto rapper. “I really want to work with Drake,” Storch admitted. “But I keep running into roadblocks. I know he respects my work, but for some reason, it just hasn’t happened.”

Drake’s ventures, whether in music, gambling, or cultural clashes, continue to draw attention. Whether Rogan can guide him to better betting decisions—or Storch can finally secure a studio session—remains to be seen. For now, Drake’s unpredictable moves keep him at the center of conversations across industries.