Is Drake bigger than the program?
Drake sued UMG for defamation and UMG signed LiAngelo Ball for $13M.
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s another Saturday at the crib and this week Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. On the heels of Drizzy’s lawsuit filing, UMG announced the signing of LiAngelo Ball to a multimillion-dollar deal. Additionally, in response to the devastation the Los Angeles wildfires have caused, Beyoncé and The Weeknd donated millions to help rebuild.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
On Tuesday (Jan. 14), Drake pulled his petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify over alleged “Not Like Us” bots and everyone thought it was the end of the saga. Now, Drake is suing UMG for defamation and the label is calling it “illogical.”
Meanwhile, LiAngelo Ball signed a deal with Def Jam and UMG for a reported $13M following the popularity of “Tweaker.”
Beyoncé moved her January 14th announcement and donated $2.5M to directly assist families affected by the Los Angeles fires who have lost their homes in the Pasadena and Altadena area.
The Weeknd donated $1.5M towards rebuilding the areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
With so many affected by the LA wildfires, UMG, along with Warner Music Group, Sony and Spotify, announced that they will not be holding any Grammy events this year. Instead, they plan to redirect that money towards rebuilding the city.
Wendy Williams revealed she is in a conservatorship during a candid chat on The Breakfast Club and started a GoFund Me.
Carmelo Anthony explained why his face looked like that in that infamous Rihanna meme from the Met Gala.
Busta Rhymes turned himself into police for assaulting his assistant.
A man was arrested for breaking into Kid Cudi’s home after using his shower and eating his food.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“I done see more rap niggas actin' like me than Dwayne Carter” — Rob49 talking that talk on “Word On The Street” with 21 Lil Harold.
“You tryna get it, we sellin' chicken and biscuits, welcome to Popeyes Chicken” — Cartel Bo on “Tha Kitchen.”
“I be sauced up, too slippery, I stay blessed up, thеse Christians.” — Bossman Dlow on the “Mo Chicken” hook.
“I pray to Jesus that God make it monsoon in LA.” — Lil Kim’s message to Los Angeles following the wildfires (I’m sure her heart was in the right place!).
“That's GBP, the price go up if it's USD.” — Central Cee and 21 Savage teaching international economics on “GBP.”
“Punch was right.” — SZA on setting boundaries between herself and her fans unrelenting demand for new music despite just getting the 15-song deluxe version of SOS.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
SZA is expected to land at No. 3 on the charts, while Kendrick Lamar’s GNX will reportedly land at No. 4 and Lil Baby’s WHAM at No. 5.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Jay Rock surprised fans with a new verse. You must hear it for yourself.
If you were wondering where EST Gee has been, his new album I Ain’t Feeling You is out now on DSPs.
21 Lil Harold and Rob 49 delivered heat on their collaborative effort “Word On The Street.”
21 Savage and Central Cee gave fans a financial literacy lesson on “GBP.”
NLE Choppa and Imagine Dragon delivered the unlikeliest collaboration of 2025 so far with “Dare U” and it’s only January.
Eem Triplin decided to kick 2025 off with the heater “Miss Me?”
Cartel Bo and That Mexican OT linked up for “Tha Kitchen” music video.
Lyrical Lemonade shared another Lunch Break freestyle and this time it’s with Lil Yachty.
Trevor Spitta released the music video for his smooth joint “FLYSEXUAL” featuring Paco.
Nine Vicious released the music video for “F&N.”
Hennessy shared a visualizer for “Last Name (CLYG Remix),” a definite goodie off her 2022 EP Time Revealed.
RXKNephew dropped a visual to rhymes on “You’ll Find Out Soon.”
THEY. dropped a new sound in the form “Choosin” with the expectation that a brand spankin’ new 10-song project is dropping on Valentines’ Day.
The Mac Miller Estate released the post-humous album Balloonerism featuring an appearance by longtime friend SZA.
Bossman Dlow and French Montana tapped in for the “Mo Chicken” music video.
Lee Vasi delivered vocals on her latest release “GPS.”
Mick Jenkins unleashed a freestyle titled “Wars & Rumors of Wars.”
Philthy Rich’s Rich, Real & Respected project was released.
Kanye West teased a new song titled “Hide Yo B*tch.”
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
XXXtentacion’s Fortnite emote was leaked and later confirmed to be legit by his close friend Ski Mask the Slump God. Needless to say, fans are excited.
Warner Music Group in conjunction with the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund announced a $1M donation towards LA fire relief efforts and The Recording Academy’s MusiCares also donated $1M.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Fivio dissed PlaqueBoyMax with a song he teased on TikTok and decided to respond with his own verse. Meanwhile, Lil Tjay decided to sell “No Smoking” merch and PlaqueBoyMax is threatening to sue.
FNG King talked about “running away” from Finesse2x.
Cam’Ron and Jim Jones are still at each other’s throats. Cam called Capo a fan of Dipset and suggested that’s the only reason he became part of the group. Nevertheless, Jimmy is working on a diss track as we speak.
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
January 20 — Rolling Loud will be having a LoudAid Benefit Concert with 100% of proceeds going to those affected by the LA wildfires. Guests include Ski Mask the Slump God, 1900Rugrat, Luh Tyler and more in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
January 20 — Nelly @ Trump’s Inauguration Ball in Washington, D.C.
January 30 — FireAid Benefit Concert featuring Lil Baby, Billie Eilish and more to take place at the Intuit Dome and Kia Form in Inglewood, California.
February 13 — Big Meech Welcome Back Concert featuring Rick Ross, Skilla Baby, Sexyy Red, 42 Dugg and more, in Miami, Florida.
February 15 — Brown Bag Podcast Presents: A Brown Bag Valentimes @ The Novo in Los Angeles, California.
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
A$AP Rocky made his first court appearance on gun charges, this week. It is alleged that he fired a gun at former friend, A$AP Relli, outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. After being arrested in 2022, he pled not guilty. During court proceedings, the judge repeatedly prodded if whether Rocky and Rihanna were married. His lawyer had zero clue. Jury selection is set to begin January 21.
Quando Rando turned himself in and will serve a 33-month sentence (two years and nine months) after reaching a deal with prosecutors. In June 2024, he pled guilty to drug conspiracy charges. He has been ordered to pay a $40k fine, be under supervised release for three years and partake in mandatory mental health counseling.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Saweetie stunned on the cover of Cero Magazine.
Mariah The Scientist performed at the Atlanta Hawks game against the Phoenix Suns.
Looks like Chuckyyy and Central Cee linked up at the studio.
Mario went down the tunnel at The Jennifer Hudson Show and the team really put their pen to paper for a specialized version of “Let Me Love You.”
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Aaliyah, Sade Adieu, DJ Quik, LL Cool J, Pitbull, Ray J, Estelle, Kevin Costner, Dwayne Wade, Zayn Malik
OUTRO
A final thought.
It’s a three-day weekend and everyone is talking about Drake's defamation suit against UMG. Most people believe this is Drake losing a rap battle and suing over it because he can’t handle it. Whether that is true or not, the fact is Drake is taking on the biggest record company in the world by himself: Aubrey Drake Graham v. UMG Recordings and I do believe Drake has the absolute right to defend his name and brand. However, I am genuinely interested in seeing how this plays out for him and the music industry as a whole. According to the documents, UMG reportedly hinted that it wouldn’t work out in his favor and we already see the public siding with Kendrick and UMG on this matter. Two issues are at play here: the damaging and false accusations against Drake (defamation) and using payola and bots to boost streaming numbers. UMG called Drake’s suit “illogical” because of the payola aspect, however, they did not directly address the defamation part and instead accused Drake of trying to “…silence an artist’s creative expression.” So, I think this case will come down to artistic expression versus defamation. The thing is, Drake is part of a program that’s been in place since before he was born and now he’s positioned himself to challenge that program one on one. Are we in a day and age where the artist (Drake) is bigger than that program? I think it’s a brave thing to do.
If you missed last week’s newsletter, here is a list of displaced Black families from the Los Angeles wildfires.