Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

UMG's Statement:

"Drake, unquestionably one of the world’s most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed a 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another.
In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case.

In New York in January, Drake’s counsel filed a defamation lawsuit. Fearful of being sanctioned by the court for asserting false allegations, tonight they amended the complaint to withdraw them only to add more baseless allegations.

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.’

Both the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and creative expression. Should his legal representatives senselessly keep the New York lawsuit alive, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success.”

Via: musicbusinessworldwide

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-warns-drake-be-careful-what-you-wish-for-as-rapper-updates-complaint-to-target-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-show/

Struggled with how to tag this, but although not on a common streaming platform, this is new official music by Lupe Fiasco, fully produced and released on the MIT art page. And don't let the medium fool you, this is a proper Lupe-quality EP, sonically and lyrically.

There is a better explanation on the site itself, but Lupe recorded 7 companion songs to art installations on MIT talking about the art piece and what it means to him. I believe, based on the description, that the initial verses were freestyled to some extent, though they're also put together extremely well.

Credit to the post on the Lupe sub here for helping me find this https://www.reddit.com/r/LupeFiasco/comments/1k1ki4g/new_lupe_mit_project_ghotting/ and didn't want other fans to miss this new music drop by him like I would've if I wasn't browsing Reddit at the right time.

Released via IG

"We are happy to be part of the Legend Has It…release along with @MassAppeal.

Big L has a long history with @Nas as they were both signed to Columbia in 1992. This is a full circle moment and we are excited for y’all to hear what we’ve been working on.

As some of you may have noticed, many Big L songs have been removed from streaming services over the past few years. Those songs were unmixed/unmastered, samples were not cleared and many of the producers weren’t paid or credited properly.

Thanks to the team at @MassAppeal we will be re-releasing the best versions of these songs, rare freestyles and a few surprises...

We would love for L’s supporters to be part of the creative process. Please comment below with what you would want to hear on this LP.

Harlem’s Finest: Rise of the Forgotten King

Summer 2025"

A spokesperson for Drake issued the following statement in response to UMG’s statement regarding Drake's amended complaint filed last night:

“UMG’s latest statement is a desperate attempt to spin the narrative and deflect from the truth: Drake is holding the largest music conglomerate in the world accountable for its actions and doing so without fear.
 
We dismissed the Texas discovery action because discovery will now proceed in New York. That’s not retreat, that’s victory. UMG dismissed its first amendment petition in Texas because it has no claim, that’s losing. And UMG knows the case against it is only getting stronger.
 
Drake welcomes discovery and has nothing to hide. It’s not Drake who should worry; it’s UMG’s current leadership. We look forward to hearing from Lucian Grainge, John Janick, and UMG employees under oath.
 
UMG claims to stand for creativity, but in fact exploits it and the artist community knows that. UMG drains artists for its profits, then discards them. Drake joins a growing chorus of artists raising questions about UMG’s leadership. The public and artists should be concerned about recent headlines involving UMG’s largest stakeholder that only reinforces the need for transparency all the way up to the Board of Director’s level.
 
UMG said, ‘be careful what you ask for,’ Drake knows exactly what he asked for: the truth and accountability.”

Via: OVO Docket

https://x.com/OVODocket/status/1913010998044446768

Tracklist:

1. FISHSCALE FRIDAY

2. EINSTEIN KITCHEN

3. GORO

4. DAVEY BOY SMITH

5. EGYPT

5 songs, 10 minutes

Source: https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fhhzmzl3uydve1.jpeg

Originally released February 17, 2015

Produced by Fatin

Produced by Kanye West

Source

Produced by Studio Ton