Stephen A. Smith Slams Drake Over Legal Action Against UMG and Spotify in Response to Kendrick Lamar’s Diss Track
This week, Drake made headlines by taking legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” In a pre-action filing in a Texas court, the Toronto rapper accuses UMG of intentionally boosting the song’s virality and defaming him in the process. According to Drake, the song’s release contained false accusations, including a claim that he was a sex offender, which he argues could have been prevented by the label.
Drake’s lawsuit suggests that UMG, as the record label behind Lamar, had the power to either block the song’s release or demand edits, but instead chose to let the track go viral. He claims that UMG orchestrated a plan to turn the song into a “viral mega-hit,” driven by the spectacle of harm to Drake’s reputation and business ventures. The lawsuit alleges that the label’s strategy was designed to generate massive consumer hysteria and, ultimately, revenue.
The legal move has already sparked mixed reactions. Supporters of Drake have rallied behind him, condemning UMG and Spotify’s involvement, while others, like sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, have criticized Drake for his response to the situation. Smith, in particular, argued that Drake should have responded to Lamar’s diss with music, not legal action.
In a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the commentator stated, “Let’s get this out of the way right now, it’s a bad look, and it’s all smeared on Drake. All of it. This is hip-hop, man, this is hip-hop. Somebody comes at you with lyrics, with a song, you supposed to come right back at them with the song, with lyrics.” Smith continued, claiming that Drake’s legal action makes him look “weak and sensitive.”
Drake’s stance has also drawn criticism from rapper and podcaster Joe Budden, who slammed him for allegedly being manipulative behind the scenes. On his podcast, Budden said, “This n***s been a sack of sht behind the scenes and because he got fans and had Lucian, everybody just gets to turn a blind eye. The blind eye days are done.”
The controversy surrounding Drake’s legal fight with UMG and the backlash from fellow hip-hop figures reflects the complex and often tumultuous dynamics of the music industry. Whether Drake’s legal battle will result in any significant consequences for UMG or alter the public’s perception of his response to Lamar’s diss track remains to be seen. However, this latest development is sure to continue fueling debates about hip-hop’s competitive nature and how far artists should go to protect their reputations.
