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Drake is continuing his legal battle with UMG after the lawsuit he brought against the record label over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was dismissed earlier in the month. Filing an appeal this week, Drake aims to get the judge to reinstate the lawsuit, which alleges UMG aided his rival in relaying what his side felt with defamatory claims out to the public, thus damaging his brand.
Music Business Worldwide reports that Drake filed a Notice of Appeal on Wednesday (October 29) in a countering stance against Judge Jeannette Vargas’ October 9 dismissal of the lawsuit. The Canadian superstar alleges that UMG intentionally promoted Lamar’s blistering “Not Like Us” diss track, writing in the complaint that the label pushed the song’s popularity “while knowing that the song’s insinuations that he has sexual relations with minors were false and defamatory.”
Judge Vargas ruled that Lamar’s lyrics, despite the OVO honcho’s insinuation that they were meant to defame him, were essentially stated opinions that were protected instead of facts. Further, the judge said that the case should be examined in full as both gentlemen verbally sparred across with several lines and songs between them.
The filing for appeal is the start of the process, with a full appellate brief filing happening at a later date. There are no new developments as the notice was just filed a day ago, and it will take months for things to move ahead.
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Source: Simone Joyner / Getty
It’s no secret that Drake and Adin Ross are down bad these days due to their own personal life decisions as of late, respectfully. But now it seems like things may get a bit worse, as both men are facing some pretty serious accusations in a new lawsuit.
According to Complex, a Missouri man, Justin Killham, has just filed a lawsuit against the Canadian crooner and popular streamer alleging that the two have been promoting Stake’s parent company Sweepstakes Limited’s online gambling. The suit says it’s illegal and goes against Missouri’s state gaming and consumer protection laws. Stating that Stake has engaged in “deceptive trade practices” by using said celebrities in promoting their gambling website, Killham feels that they’ve exploited “vulnerable” Missourians who’ve fallen prey to their marketing and promotion methods and developed gambling addictions as a result.
Per Complex:
“Stake in particular pays online influencer-defendants Adin Ross and Aubrey Drake Graham each millions of dollars yearly to engage in promotion ‘livestream online casino gambling with Stake.com,” the lawsuit reads, accusing Ross and Drake of claiming they gamble with their own money and don’t disclose they’re using Stake-provided funds.
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“These acts are deceptive, fraudulent and unfair and violate Missouri law,” the suit adds. “Drake and Ross deceptively and fraudulently misrepresent, as does Stake itself, that Stake is a social casino and not a real one in their promotional role for Stake, and they also fraudulently and deceptively misrepresent that they only gamble with their own money on Stake.”
Killham is seeking “recovery of gambling losses” on behalf of himself and others impacted by Stake, Drake, and Ross.
While many people wouldn’t fall for anything that Drake or Adin Ross would promote these days, Killham himself seems to have taken the bait and now wants restitution for his own poor life choice (no shots). Still, it seems like he has a pretty strong case, as he seeks to have someone held accountable for the losses he might’ve suffered at the hands of Stake.
More from Complex:
“To hide the true nature of its online gambling operation, Stake asserts that the only chips it sells to consumers are tokens called ‘Gold Coins,’ which can only be used for ‘casual’ gameplay on the Stake.us platform, have no real-world value, and can never be cashed out,” the lawsuit reads. “However, Stake bundles every purchase of Gold Coins with a second type of token called ‘Stake Cash’ as a supposedly free bonus. Unlike Gold Coins, Stake Cash can be wagered on casino games and cashed out for real money at a fixed 1:1 ratio to the U.S. Dollar – exposing Stake Cash as a clear vehicle for real-money gambling.”
The lawsuit argues that Stake Cash, which can be wagered on games over the internet and redeemed for real money, allows the company to get away with “operating an unlicensed and illegal online casino in Missouri.”
Naturally, a spokesperson for Stake has denied the allegations saying, “We reject allegations that have been made in the media in relation to this potential claim and will vigorously defend this and all such claims,” and says they have yet to be served any official complaint thus far.
Should be interesting to see how this one shakes out.
What do y’all think about this lawsuit against Drake and Adin Ross? Let us know in the comments section below.
Source: Mike Marsland/WireImage / Mike Marsland/WireImage
A new claim from Lil Wayne’s son is stirring up conversation around Drake’s catalog.
Novi Carter, the son of the rap legend, recently told YouTuber TrillMarty that his dad wrote “most” of Drake’s lyrics. “My dad wrote most of [Drake’s] sh*t, I mean, on God,” Novi said. “If it wasn’t for my pops, there wouldn’t be no Drake. I mean, there probably would be a Drake, but he wouldn’t be where he’s at, though.”
He followed that up by saying, “No disrespect to Drake, he hard,” giving credit to Drake while still backing up his statement. Novi didn’t offer details on which songs Wayne may have helped write, and as of now, neither Drake nor Lil Wayne has commented on the claim.
Even without specifics, the relationship between the two rappers is well known. Weezy was the one who brought the “6 God” into the game, signing him to Young Money in 2009 and helping launch his rise to stardom. From there, the pair delivered several big collaborations that helped define their careers.
One of their earliest major moments was “Forever,” where Drake shared a track with Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem. It was a huge look for Drake, who was still proving himself at the time. Not long after, they linked up again on “Miss Me” from Drake’s debut album *Thank Me Later*, giving fans one of the first true glimpses of their creative connection.
In 2010, when Lil Wayne went to jail on a weapons charge, Drake stepped up and held the Young Money crew down. That time was a turning point, as Drake began to carve out his own lane and show he could carry the spotlight on his own.
After Wayne’s release, the chemistry between the two continued. Their 2011 track “She Will” showed a darker, more introspective side, with Drake’s smooth hook leading into one of Wayne’s more serious verses. Then in 2014, they linked up again on “Believe Me,” a fan favorite that built anticipation for Tha Carter V.
Whether Wayne actually wrote most of Drizzy’s lyrics or not, one thing is clear, their partnership helped shape a new era in Hip-Hop. Drake might have blown up regardless, but with Wayne backing him early on, his rise to superstardom came a lot quicker.
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Source: Drake / GTA 6
Rockstar Games is notorious for not spilling any details on its video games, especially GTA 6. Still, record producer Jermaine Dupri spilled the beans about Drake’s alleged involvement with what is easily one of the most anticipated video games of all time.
While speaking with Rory and Mal, Jermaine Dupri claims that Rockstar Games reached out to him to work on GTA 6, and that the salty 6 God will also be involved with the game.
“They asked me to do Grand Theft Auto, and they were saying like Drake got his own radio station on Grand Theft Auto,” Dupri said.
Dupri took his claims to another level. He claims that not only will Drake have a radio station, but when the game finally arrives, “Drake can actually upload music that we probably have never even heard online on that video game.”
If true, it would be a significant development, as it would provide another means for Drake to release his unreleased big tunes to the masses through GTA 6.
Other Rumors Invovling GTA 6
With any news regarding GTA 6 not announced by Rockstar Games, take this with the tiniest grain of salt. Drake is not the first big-name artist to be associated with the game.
There were rumors that DJ Khaled was going to be getting a radio station, and gamers were not happy to hear that rumor. Dr. Dre was also involved with Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, getting story DLC and a station featuring his music.
Along with groundbreaking gameplay, it also plays on pop culture and gratuitous violence. The Grand Theft Auto game franchise is also renowned for its radio stations, which typically feature classic songs from various genres that align with the game’s setting.
Gamers have been reacting to the news of Drake allegedly providing music for GTA 6; you can see those reactions in the gallery below.
3. Exactly
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It’s undeniable, Drake is the biggest artist to ever come out of Canada.
From chart-topping hits to global influence, he’s put Toronto, affectionately called “The 6,” on the map like no one else. His loyalty to the city is unmatched, and whether he’s on stage at the Grammys or courtside at Raptors games, Drake wears his hometown pride like a badge of honor. His rise has not only changed Canadian Hip-Hop but also brought international attention to Toronto’s music scene.
However, the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a dramatic peak when Kendrick performed in Toronto, Drake’s own backyard, and delivered a searing performance of “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed directly at the 6 God. The move was bold, calculated, and certainly got people talking. But what stirred the pot even more was who was in the crowd, Canadian politician and former NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh.
Singh’s attendance at Kendrick’s concert did not go unnoticed by Drake. In a now-public exchange, Drake DM’d Singh, calling him a “goof,” Toronto slang for someone who’s disloyal or fake, and shared the message to his Instagram Stories.
Singh, seemingly caught off guard by the backlash, responded with a quick apology, claiming he went for SZA, not Kendrick. He added, “I love this city… OVO and Drake have lifted up this city,” affirming that it’s “always Drake over Kendrick” for him.
Still, Drizzy didn’t seem to accept the apology and unfollowed Singh on social media, signaling that the damage was done. For Drake, loyalty to Toronto isn’t just symbolic, it’s personal. When someone from his own city shows support for an “opponent” in the midst of a very public feud, it hits deeper than just music. This moment highlights just how powerful Drake’s presence is in Canadian culture. He’s not just an artist, he’s a symbol of Toronto itself. And when it comes to repping the 6, Drake’s influence is so massive that even politicians have to tread carefully.
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If we’ve learned one thing about Kendrick Lamar over the last year and change it’s that he ain’t never scared when it comes to his drama with Drizzy, so when the man took his and SZA’s Grand National Tour to Drake’s hometown of Toronto, Canada, y’all knew he wasn’t going to play it humble.
Last night (June 12), social media was abuzz with videos of Kendrick Lamar performing at the Rogers Centre in Toronto (a place that even Drake has never performed at) interestingly enough, the crowd went wild when K. Dot performed his now classic diss track “Not Like Us.” While we all know it’s one of the most popular songs to have ever hit the Hip-Hop scene, many thought that Drake’s hometown would’ve been lukewarm to Kendrick Lamar performing his biggest hit to date, but instead, we saw a crowd seemingly rejoice and join in on the festivities as Kung-Fu Kenny once again went for Drake’s jugular on stage in his hometown.
The crowd was in such a frenzy over the performance that they actually started to chant “One more time!” in hopes of getting Kendrick to perform “Not Like Us,” one more time.
Yeah, we’re sure Drizzy wasn’t too happy to see his constituents side with his rap rival to this extent. He might cancel OVO Fest 2025 over this or something.
Still, the man does have his hardcore loyalists who parked themselves outside of the Rogers Centre and took issue with Kendrick Lamar performing and proclaimed Drake the King of the North even though their fellow countrymen were inside the venue egging on Kendrick’s unrelenting slaughter of their hometown hero.
Drake’s about to bless everyone there with exclusive OVO merchandise or something.
What do y’all think about Kendrick Lamar performing “Not Like Us” in Drake’s hometown of Toronto? Fair or foul? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Drake is back at it again, handing out what fans jokingly call another “stimulus package,” this time to his OVO Sound signee, Smiley.
Their new collaboration, “2 Mazza,” appears on Smiley’s latest project “Don’t Box Me In“. The track marks another co-sign from “The Boy,” continuing the partnership that began in 2021 with their viral hit “Over The Top.” That song had the internet going crazy, not just for Drake’s verse, but for Smiley’s distinct delivery and the now-infamous line, “Prada and Gucci don’t go together.”
But this time, the reception hasn’t been as warm. While Drake’s presence usually guarantees a flood of attention, fans have been more muted, and at times critical, about “2 Mazza.” Some listeners feel the energy is off, and even loyal OVO fans are questioning whether this collab meets the high bar set by their first joint effort. Smiley’s unique cadence continues to split opinion, and though Drake’s verse brings his usual confidence, it hasn’t sparked the same level of excitement as in past features.
Smiley, who signed to Drake’s OVO Sound imprint under Warner Records in 2021, continues to build his presence with Don’t Box Me In, which also features appearances from IceWear Vezzo and fellow OVO affiliate Baka Not Nice. Despite mixed reactions, the project reflects Smiley’s refusal to fit into a conventional mold, hence the title.
Whether “2 Mazza” grows on fans or fades out quietly, it’s clear that Drake is still betting on Smiley. Check out some of the early online reactions to this new collaboration below, and decide for yourself if the OVO duo still has that viral magic.
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DJ Akademiks recently shared a story about something that happened at Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “The Pop Out Ken & Friends” concert in Detroit.
According to Akademiks, he ran into Dave Free, who’s a close friend and business partner of Kendrick Lamar. During their brief conversation, Dave Free allegedly asked him, “What are you getting from this? Is Drake paying you?”
Ak says he was shocked and offended by the question. He’s been very outspoken during the recent rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, often showing strong support for Drake. However, he calls cap and made it clear that no one is paying him to express his opinions, and that all his views are his own. “That was the most insulting thing,” Akademiks said after the event, explaining how upset he was by the idea that he could be on Drake’s payroll.
The drama between Kendrick and Drake was intense, and it’s brought a lot of personal stuff into the spotlight. In one of Drake’s diss tracks, “Family Matters,” he even mentioned Dave Free by name, claiming that one of Kendrick’s kids might actually be Dave Free’s. That bar caused a lot of talk online and probably added to the tension between Dave Free and Akademiks.
Even though Akademiks is known for being involved in Hip-Hop drama, this situation shows how serious things have gotten during this battle. It’s not just about music anymore, it’s about real-life relationships and reputations. Whether Dave Free was joking or being serious, Akademiks made it known that he doesn’t take kindly to anyone questioning his honesty. He wants people to understand that his support for Drake isn’t because of money, but because that’s what he truly thinks.
This moment is just another example of how intense and personal the Kendrick vs. Drake feud has become, extending beyond the music and drawing other prominent names in Hip-Hop into the mix.
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JPEGMAFIA is a difficult artist to explain to casual Hip-Hop listeners, and that’s exactly how he seems to prefer to be perceived by fans. In a new interview, JPEGMAFIA had choice words for Drake, The Alchemist, and Earl Sweatshirt while sharing his aims in becoming a major star in music.
JPEGMAFIA, who previously worked with Ye Ye, spoke with Billboard backstage ahead of his Governors Ball Music Festival set last weekend, and his candid discussion with the outlet was just as outsized as the music he creates. Of course, the portion of the interview that snagged headlines was his barbs aimed at Drake.
From Billboard:
People yearn for something new, especially in rap. We’re yearning, we’re tired. We don’t wanna hear Drake complain about b—hes anymore. We don’t f—king care, he’s 40. We need something different. I’m here to try to provide and cultivate that as much as I can because rap fans are f—king bored.
In another portion of the interview, JPEGMAFIA was asked about fusing the sounds of hardcore, a scene where the Baltimore native cut his teeth, with Hip-Hop.
“Alchemist, Earl and them? They’ve been making the same f—king song for the last twenty f—king years. Nobody gives a s—t. I’m not them,” JPEGMAFIA said.
Check out the full interview here.
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Photo: Frank Hoensch / Getty
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Drake is making his long-awaited return to the UK and Europe this summer with the $ome $pecial $hows 4 UK EU tour, and it’s about to be a movie.
Produced by Live Nation, the arena run kicks off July 20 in Birmingham at Utilita Arena, right after he headlines all three nights of Wireless Festival (July 11–13) at Finsbury Park, London. Each night comes with a different setlist and surprise guests, and fans clearly weren’t playing around. The festival sold out in minutes, breaking records as the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Rolling with him for the full tour is none other than PARTYNEXTDOOR, his longtime collaborator and fellow OVO signee. After Birmingham, Drake hits Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, and more, before wrapping up September 23 in Hamburg, Germany at Barclays Arena.
This marks “The Boy’s” first time back in Europe since his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour, which saw him bring some dope performances and surprise guests to packed-out arenas across the continent. That tour followed the release of “Scorpion” and showed why Drizzy continues to dominate global stages.
The momentum hasn’t stopped. Earlier this year, the OVO top dog tore through Australia with the “Anita Max Win Tour”, and before that, he ran the “It’s All A Blur Tour” across North America, 80 sold-out dates featuring 21 Savage and J. Cole, bringing deep cuts, massive hits, and unforgettable visuals.
Now, the 6 God is setting his sights on Europe once again. Whether you’re a day-one fan or just catching on, one thing’s clear, when Drake hits the stage, it’s more than a concert. It’s a cultural event.
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