HOUSTON (AP) — iHeartMedia, a Texas-based media company, has successfully resolved its legal conflict with the famed rapper Drake regarding Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track “Not Like Us.” Claiming innocence, iHeartMedia asserted that it had committed no wrongdoing in the matter, leading to a peaceful resolution between the parties involved.
Drake had previously lodged a legal complaint in November, alleging that iHeartMedia had engaged in illicit transactions with Universal Music Group (UMG) to artificially inflate the radio airplay of Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” It is noteworthy that UMG acts as the parent record label for both Drake and Lamar, hinting at a complex web of relationships within the music industry.
Initially maintaining a stance of silence on the matter, San Antonio-headquartered iHeartMedia finally opened up following the revelation of the settlement in court documents last week. In a revised statement released on Monday, the media giant clarified, “Upon presenting evidence demonstrating our innocence, Drake agreed to withdraw his petition. No financial exchanges transpired between the parties.”
In a legal filing submitted on Thursday in Bexar County, home to San Antonio, attorneys representing Drake confirmed that the rapper and iHeartMedia had come to a harmonious resolution regarding their dispute. However, no further details were divulged in this communication, leaving the specifics of the settlement undisclosed.
A crucial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, where legal representatives for UMG will seek to dismiss Drake’s petition. The petition put forth by the rapper also raises allegations against UMG, contending that the music conglomerate was aware that the song “Not Like Us,” along with its album cover and music video, contained defamatory content aimed at tarnishing Drake’s reputation by falsely portraying him as a sex offender.
The ongoing feud between Drake, a 38-year-old Canadian artist boasting five Grammy wins, and Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize recipient who recently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, stands as one of the most significant conflicts in contemporary hip-hop circles.
