kendrick lamar
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Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Metro Boomin have been hit with a lawsuit over their chart-topping track “Like That,” stemming from alleged unpaid royalties related to a sample.
Veteran rapper Rodney O claims that the song uses elements from his classic track “Everlasting Bass” without proper compensation or credit. The legal action also targets the estate of Barry White, whose music appears on the Kanye West remix of the song. Rodney O argues that he never received full payment or acknowledgment for the use of his work, especially when the song was submitted for Grammy consideration without his name in the songwriting credits.
He also says he was not given the version of the track that features Kendrick Lamar’s headline-making verse dissing Drake, which has become one of the most talked-about moments in recent rap history. A spokesperson for Metro Boomin countered the claims, stating that they did secure rights to the sample and paid Rodney O $50,000. They also pointed to the Barry White estate as a possible reason for delayed royalty distribution, citing its ties to Epic Records as a potential complication.
The Barry White estate has yet to issue a statement regarding the lawsuit. As “Like That” continues to dominate the conversation in hip-hop, the legal dispute adds another layer of controversy—highlighting ongoing issues around sample clearances, fair compensation, and proper credit in the music industry.
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Source: Mike Marsland/Variety / Mike Marsland/Variety
Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Metro Boomin have been hit with a lawsuit over their chart-topping track “Like That,” stemming from alleged unpaid royalties related to a sample.
Veteran rapper Rodney O claims that the song uses elements from his classic track “Everlasting Bass” without proper compensation or credit. The legal action also targets the estate of Barry White, whose music appears on the Kanye West remix of the song. Rodney O argues that he never received full payment or acknowledgment for the use of his work, especially when the song was submitted for Grammy consideration without his name in the songwriting credits.
He also says he was not given the version of the track that features Kendrick Lamar’s headline-making verse dissing Drake, which has become one of the most talked-about moments in recent rap history. A spokesperson for Metro Boomin countered the claims, stating that they did secure rights to the sample and paid Rodney O $50,000. They also pointed to the Barry White estate as a possible reason for delayed royalty distribution, citing its ties to Epic Records as a potential complication.
The Barry White estate has yet to issue a statement regarding the lawsuit. As “Like That” continues to dominate the conversation in hip-hop, the legal dispute adds another layer of controversy—highlighting ongoing issues around sample clearances, fair compensation, and proper credit in the music industry.
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UMG (Universal Music Group) has filed a motion to have Drake’s amended lawsuit against his recording label dismissed, calling the rapper’s allegations “asthoning” in their filing. Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG at the top of the year over Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss record “Not Like Us” and has accused the label of defaming him.
As reported by Variety, UMG is responding to Drake’s claims made in the amended lawsuit, and the Canadian superstar is charging the label with heavily promoting the song, which features a lyric accusing him of being a pedophile.
The initial lawsuit came just as news surfaced that Kendrick Lamar would be the halftime performer at this year’s Super Bowl, and it was anticipated that “Not Like Us,” one of the biggest hit records of 2024, would be a centerpiece. It appeared that Drake wanted to get ahead of the noise regarding the track. Lamar did perform the track but altered the lyrics in question.
UMG, which filed its motion on Wednesday (May 7), had their legal representation address Drake’s amended lawsuit straight away, while seemingly taking a dig at the OVO honcho.
“As Drake concedes, Lamar’s Super Bowl performance did not include the lyric that Drake or his associates are ‘certified pedophiles’ (i.e., the alleged ‘Defamatory Material’ that is at the heart of this case). The focus of Drake’s new claims—that ‘the largest audience for a Super Bowl halftime show ever’ did not hear Lamar call Drake or his crew pedophiles—betrays this case for what it is: Drake’s attack on the commercial and creative success of the rap artist who defeated him, rather than the content of Lamar’s lyrics.”
Drake has not responded publicly to the entered motion as of yet.
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Australian music festival Spilt Milk has returned from a fallow year with what is shaping up to be one of the country’s biggest touring events in 2025.
Confirming its 2025 lineup on Friday (May 2), the Spilt Milk festival has announced that the four-date affair will be headlined by Kendrick Lamar and Doechii, with Sara Landry, Dominic Fike, and Schoolboy Q rounding out the topline. While Lamar’s appearance will be his first Australian visit since 2022, and the other headliners have previously performed on Australian soil, Doechii will make her debut visit to the country as part of the festival.
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D4vd, Nessa Barrett, and Sombr also join Australian producer Skin on Skin as second-tier additions, while international names such as Rebeca Black and Chance Peña join local acts The Dreggs, The Rions, Ninajirachi, and more.
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Lamar’s high-profile addition to the festival is something of a coup for the event, which first launched in 2016 as a one-day affair in the country’s capital, Canberra.
After three years of events, the festival expanded to the Gold Coast and regional Victorian city Ballarat in 2019, with the likes of CHVRCHES, Khalid, and Juice WRLD appearing on the lineup. The Ballarat edition of Spilt Milk would also serve as Juice WRLD’s final performance before his passing just one week later.
The festival returned from a COVID-induced hiatus in 2022, though announced they would be taking another year off in 2024. “Sorry pookies, we couldn’t get you the Spilt Milk you deserve this year,” event organizers wrote in July. “Sooo imma dip for a bit and come back when I can make all ur dreams come true.”
At the time, concerns were raised for the future of Spilt Milk given the cancellation of other high-profile festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, though organizers confirmed on May 1 that it would return in December 2025. The four-date affair will take place across Ballarat, Perth, Canberra, and the Gold Coast between December 6-14.
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On a recent unfiltered livestream, Kanye West delivered another fiery tirade, this time targeting fellow rap heavyweights J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar.
Known for his unpredictable and often controversial commentary, Kanye didn’t hold back, reigniting long-standing tensions within the Hip-Hop community.
Speaking on J. Cole, Kanye bluntly stated, “When I would meet up with Drake I would ask him why are you working with J. Cole, he’s not an actual person. When people would tell me they like J. Cole I be like don’t tell me that. I hate J. Cole, it can’t even be called music.” The harsh critique left fans stunned, especially given the mutual respect often expressed among the “Big Three” rappers of this generation, Cole, Kendrick, and Drake. Kanye’s dismissal of J. Cole’s artistry seemed personal, bordering on surreal, calling into question whether there’s deeper unresolved beef behind the scenes.
Ye was far from over too. Turning his attention to Kendrick Lamar, Kanye added, “I heard Ben Affleck that Kendrick Lamar is one of his favorite rappers. I was like, bro, anybody that has Kendrick as one of their favorite rappers don’t know rap.” The jab at Kendrick, long praised for his lyricism and cultural impact, raised eyebrows and drew backlash from fans and artists alike.
Whether this was another headline-grabbing rant or a sign of deeper tensions in the Hip-Hop world, Kanye once again reminded everyone, he says what he wants, no matter the fallout.
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Kendrick Lamar has extended his winning streak into high fashion. Chanel has named him their newest brand ambassador.
As per Hypebeast, Kendrick Lamar has formally partnered with the luxury apparel brand. In an exclusive report by Business of Fashion, he explained how a trip to France made the deal all came together. “[I] spent a week in Paris with their team and explored the brand history. I visited the Chanel ateliers and saw the process of how something goes from design to execution. Seeing the people who work hard and bring these visions to life resonates with me,” he explained via email. Kendrick would also go on to add that “Chanel has a timeless legacy and that is always something I can get behind. Since they don’t make clothes for men, I knew it would have to be glasses.”
Prior to the announcement Chanel has played a role in several big moments in the “Not Like Us” MC’s storied career. He wore Chanel sunglasses in the “Luther” video featuring SZA. He and frequent collaborator Dave Free contributed to their Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture show with the curation of not only the stage set but also directing a short film titled The Button.
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Kendrick Lamar is running the game in 2025, leading this year’s American Music Awards with a heavy 10 nominations.
The Compton legend, already holding a Pulitzer, is now eyeing a clean sweep with nods in major categories like Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for GNX, and Song of the Year for the straight-up banger “Not Like Us.” His joint with SZA, “Luther,” picked up two noms, one for Collaboration of the Year and another for Favorite Hip-Hop Song.
On top of that, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin and “Not Like Us” also landed in the Favorite Hip-Hop Song category. Kendrick’s also up for Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist, Favorite Hip-Hop Album for GNX, and Favorite Music Video for “Not Like Us.” It’s been a wild year for K-Dot. He lit up the Super Bowl halftime stage with a performance that had everybody talking, then followed it up by dropping GNX, a project fans and critics alike called a classic.
The album’s raw, real, and packed with bars that remind everyone why Kendrick is in a league of his own. If he walks away with all eight wins he’s eligible for, he’ll tie the GOATs—Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston—for the most AMAs in a single year. That’s legendary status, no question.
Right now, Kendrick ain’t just part of the conversation, he is the conversation.
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Lil Wayne has given a much needed update on him and Kendrick Lamar. He recently said there are no issues between them.
As spotted on Hip Hop N More, Lil Wayne is preparing the release of his forthcoming album Tha Carter VI. As part of his promotional tour he spoke to Rolling Stone about the upcoming project. During the interview, which took several months to happen due to the Los Angeles wildfires and schedule changes, writer Andre Gee got an advance sneak peak of VI. Here Lil Wayne revealed that an all-star line up of collaborators will be featured on the LP including Miley Cyrus, Wyclef Jean, Bono, Machine Gun Kelly, Andrea Bocelli, Elephant Man and his son Kameron Carter. While the cover feature also puts a spotlight on his approach to parenting, how he creates his music and more, it was his response to where he stands with Kendrick Lamar that soon went viral.
When asked about their relationship he said things are “fine” after Kendrick Lamar referenced him on “wacced out murals.” He also explained that he was not following the Drake and Kendrick beef thus it didn’t dawn on him what he was doing when he was spotted singing the lyrics to “Not Like Us” at one of his shows.
“I went onstage and I was singing this song, and they thought I was dissing,” he said. “I ain’t want my dude to be mad at me. I didn’t even know it was Kendrick!” He added, “If it don’t happen on [ESPN] or FS1, I wouldn’t know that happened.”
Tha Carter VI is set to be released June 6. You can read the Rolling Stone interview here.
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Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Euphoria” was already heavy, but according to TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson, it could’ve been way more lethal.
In a raw convo with Curtiss King, Punch confirmed there was a longer version of the track that had extra bars aimed at Drake, but some of the more savage shots got cut before the public ever heard it.
When asked about rumors of a 20-minute version, Punch didn’t confirm the exact length, but he kept it real, saying, “There was definitely a version that was longer than what the world got. There was a lot of stuff that didn’t make it on there.” He explained that certain lines just weren’t worth the long-term smoke, so he stepped in. “There was just some things in there that I didn’t think would have been beneficial in the long run, so I gave him my input, and he took some of those things out.”
Even with the edits, “Euphoria” still hit hard and had the rap game buzzing. But Kendrick wasn’t done. He followed up with “Not Like Us,” a track that felt like the final blow, making the culture crown him as the clear winner in the beef. The fact that there was an even more aggressive version of “Euphoria” locked away in the vault just adds to the legend. Kendrick showed he could still cut deep without letting it get too messy, and that’s a different level of control.
Check out the full conversation below:
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The lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group was amended Wednesday (April 16) to include a new complaint, specifically that the music label used Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy wins and his Super Bowl halftime show performance of “Not Like Us” to promote the single and damage his reputation further. The new addition makes the suit 107 pages in total to account for new allegations.The new complaint states that the halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar, which was seen by 133 million people “including millions of children,” who had “never before heard the song or any of the songs that preceded it. It was the first, and will hopefully be the last, Super Bowl halftime show orchestrated to assassinate the character of another artist.” It goes on to allege that Kendrick Lamar purposefully excluded the word “pedophile” from the song, stating that “on information and belief” that he wouldn’t have been able to perform without that exclusion. The suit also claims that UMG caused intentional harm by negotiating the performance and promoting it afterward, as well as citing that the use of a photo of his Toronto home led to a shooting incident days after the release.The legal team for Drake also claimed that UMG CEO Lucian Grainge hugged and gave a high-five to Dr. Dre as “Not Like Us” played at the Grammy Awards (a YouTube clip of the interaction that was posted doesn’t have the song in the background, however) and that the crowd was singing along to “Not Like Us,” which would win Song and Record of the Year. Another allegation that remains is that bots were used by UMG to push the song on streaming platforms like Spotify. The claim was initially floated by an undisclosed person who appeared on DJ Akademiks’ show to claim he was paid to push the songs by Interscope.UMG issued a lengthy and bruising response to the amended complaint shortly after, writing in part: “Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a ‘win’: the granting of a routine discovery motion. That ‘win’ will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’”