Canadian rapper Drake has reportedly reached an “amicable resolution” with iHeartMedia, removing the company from his ongoing legal petition against Universal Music Group (UMG).
The resolution comes after Drake accused UMG of potentially paying iHeartMedia to excessively play Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us” — a shady industry practice known as payola.
Why Drake Took Legal Action
In November 2024, Drake filed a pre-action petition in Texas, seeking depositions from iHeartMedia and UMG for a possible lawsuit. He suspected that UMG may have manipulated radio airplay to damage his career while giving his rival Kendrick Lamar an upper hand during their highly publicized feud.
However, on February 26, 2025, Drake’s legal team officially dropped iHeartMedia from the petition after both parties reached a mutual agreement.
What Does This Mean?
While the details of their resolution remain private, this move suggests that iHeartMedia might have cleared its name — leaving Drake to focus his legal battle solely on Universal Music Group.
Drake vs. UMG: The Fight Continues
The lawsuit against UMG is still heating up, especially after Drake’s legal team accused the label of launching a “defamatory campaign” against him by boosting “Not Like Us” — even during Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Drake’s lawyer, Michael J. Gottlieb, argued that the diss track’s massive exposure continues to harm Drake’s career and reputation.
What’s Next?
• UMG has until March 17 to file a motion to dismiss the case entirely.
• A pre-trial conference is scheduled for April 2, where both sides will present their arguments.
• Fans are eagerly watching to see if Drake will escalate the lawsuit or drop more bombshells.
Will Drake Take UMG All the Way to Court? 🔥
With iHeartMedia out of the picture, it’s clear that Drake is not backing down from this battle anytime soon.
Stay tuned for more updates as this high-stakes music industry drama unfolds!
