Snoop Dogg Comments on Drake’s Lawsuit Against UMG
Snoop Dogg recently shared his views on Drake’s legal actions against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” – read more below.
- READ MORE: Snoop Dogg ‘Missionary’ Review: An Impressive Sequel to a Hip-Hop Classic
Drake’s Legal Disputes Explained
Drake has initiated two lawsuits against Universal Music Group concerning the song “Not Like Us,” which arose from a heated feud earlier this year. The first lawsuit, filed in New York, claims that UMG “artificially inflated” streaming numbers for “Not Like Us” and participated in undisclosed “pay-to-play” schemes.
The second lawsuit, submitted in Texas, alleges defamation, asserting that UMG “knowingly” allowed the release of “Not Like Us” despite Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics that label Drake as a “pedophile.”
Kendrick Lamar’s team has yet to respond to NME‘s request for comment. In the meantime, UMG issued a statement regarding the allegations: “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine the credibility of any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We apply the highest ethical standards in our marketing and advertising campaigns. No amount of flimsy and absurd legal arguments in this preliminary statement will be able to disguise the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Snoop Dogg Weighs In
Snoop Dogg, who found himself at the heart of the two rappers’ conflict after posting a snippet of Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” on social media while having defended Kendrick in the past, shared his perspective on the lawsuits.
In a recent episode of The Bootleg Kev Podcast, where he was promoting his new album Missionary, Snoop was asked for his insights on Drake’s statements. After hesitating to respond, the rapper remarked: “In the West, we hold trials in the streets. That’s what we call it.”
He further clarified his stance, expressing his support for Kendrick Lamar: “(Lamar is) a rapper, he should speak his mind and tell the truth. I’m his big homeboy, so I have to take what he says from his point of view because he’s telling the truth. I am ready to accept the truth when it is brought to me directly.”
Snoop also mentioned that he was unaware he had shared “Taylor Made Freestyle” on social media: “I did a joint post with someone. When I do this (co-post), I don’t listen to music, I just see Gin and Juice because that’s my brand. So when I post this, I think I posted ‘Gin and Juice,’ I don’t know what the song is, I’m not crazy about anyone’s music. Then they tell me: ‘My nephew didn’t like what you did.’
Ultimately, Snoop Dogg stated that he deleted the post and sent Kendrick a quick voicemail: “Nephew, this is Uncle Snoop, I got your message and I apologize. I was screwed. My fault.”
Snoop Dogg’s “Missionary” received a three-star review from NME, with Kayann-Sian Williams stating: “‘Missionary’ is a disappointing follow-up in which the uplifting tone feels forced and the sonic versatility hinders the entire project. Dre and Snoop have forgotten about the legacy they created for the West Coast with ‘Doggystyle,’ and while there are moments of fun, the unforgettable collection barely scratches the surface of their legendary status.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/snoop-dogg-isnt-a-fan-of-drakes-legal-action-against-umg-for-not-like-us-we-hold-court-in-the-streets-3823566?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=snoop-dogg-isnt-a-fan-of-drakes-legal-action-against-umg-for-not-like-us-we-hold-court-in-the-streets
