Canadian rapper Drake, one of the most commercially successful artists of the past decade, finds his music business career at a critical juncture as his high-profile legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) intensifies amid the success of his new joint album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4U.’

The conflict, rooted in a defamation lawsuit filed by Drake against UMG in January 2025, has sparked widespread speculation about the future of his relationship with the music giant and the stability of his career trajectory.

The lawsuit against UMG

Drake’s legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses UMG of knowingly damaging his reputation by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 diss track, ‘Not Like Us.’ The song, which contains controversial lyrics implying serious allegations against Drake, was allegedly amplified by UMG for financial gain, despite the label’s awareness of the claims’ falsehood, according to the lawsuit.

Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s actions were part of a calculated move to bolster Kendrick’s profile (particularly ahead of his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance) and to weaken Drake’s position as his contract with UMG comes up for renegotiation in 2025.

As of late February 2025, UMG filed a motion to postpone or pause the scheduled April 2, 2025, pretrial conference in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Drake’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, criticised this request in a 4-page response, arguing that UMG’s motion was an improper attempt to circumvent court rules and delay the legal process without sufficient justification.

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Drake’s position: powerhouse or vulnerable?

Despite the legal and business challenges, Drake remains a powerhouse in the music industry. His first joint project after the rap beef ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4U’, which he partners with PARTYNEXTDOOR, has surpassed expectations from industry experts. The RnB album has climbed to Number 1 on the Billboard 200, making him one of the joint artists with the most albums (14) to reach that feat. All 21 songs also made it to the Billboard Top 100 with songs like ‘Give me a hug,’ ‘Nokia,’ and ‘Crying in Chanel’ as leading songs.

His catalog, spanning hits from ‘Take Care’ to recent releases, continues to generate billions of streams, and his influence on pop culture remains undeniable. However, the ongoing feud with UMG threatens to disrupt his business model, which has relied heavily on UMG’s global distribution, marketing, and promotional machinery.

Commentators on X, such as @rodriguez_60388, suggest that Drake’s “extremely smart team” and powerful allies could position him favorably in this battle, contrasting his situation with past industry controversies involving artists like Michael Jackson and Diddy. Yet, others, like @DianaSalam13, warn of potential risks, drawing parallels to how UMG and other entities have historically targeted high-profile artists with damaging narratives or legal pressure.

Drake’s lack of “skeletons in his closet,” as noted by an X user in a thread, may bolster his case, with no credible accusations emerging to support Kendrick’s lyrics or UMG’s alleged strategy. However, the financial and reputational stakes are high, especially as UMG stands to lose a key artist whose commercial success has been integral to its dominance in the streaming era.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

As the defamation lawsuit progresses and Drake’s UMG contract nears renegotiation, the music industry watches closely. If Drake succeeds in proving UMG’s liability, it could set a tone for artists challenging their labels over promotional decisions and reputational harm. However, a loss or prolonged legal battle could weaken his negotiating power, potentially forcing him to remain with UMG under less favorable terms or seek a new label home.

For now, Drake’s music business status hangs in a delicate balance between his undeniable commercial success from his recent joint album and the legal and contractual uncertainties threatening his status. As fans and industry watchers await the outcome of the lawsuit, one thing is clear: 2025 will be a pivotal year for the 6 God’s legacy in the music business.