Stephen A's Take: Stephen A discusses Drake's "Not Like Us" UMG lawsuit.

Summary

Summary of "Stephen A's Take: Drake's 'Not Like Us' UMG Lawsuit"

Podcast: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Release Date: January 16, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the escalating tensions between two prominent figures in the hip-hop industry: Drake and Kendrick Lamar. The discussion centers around Drake's recent lawsuit filed against his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), concerning Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us." Smith provides a comprehensive analysis of the situation, exploring the implications for both artists and the broader impact on hip-hop culture.

Overview of the Lawsuit

At [01:02], Stephen A. Smith introduces the primary topic: Drake has initiated legal action against Universal Music Group over the release of Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us." According to Smith, Drake's attorneys argue that the track embodies "corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists" ([01:25]).

Key Points:

• Plaintiff: Drake
• Defendant: Universal Music Group
• Allegation: The song "Not Like Us" contains false allegations against Drake, specifically accusing him of being a pedophile and appropriating black culture.

Details of the Accusations

Stephen A. Smith elaborates on the content of "Not Like Us," highlighting its severe accusations against Drake. He cites that Kendrick Lamar implies Drake is a "criminal pedophile" ([02:15]) and suggests that the public should engage in vigilante justice in response ([02:15]). These allegations have significantly impacted Drake's personal and professional life, leading to safety concerns as reported ([05:00]).

Notable Quote:

"When you've been accused and people think there's validity... they're attaching legitimacy to allegations and accusations of you being a pedophile, then it gets a little dicey."
— Stephen A. Smith [05:00]

Stephen A.’s Perspective

Smith shares his personal connection to hip-hop culture, expressing sensitivity towards the unfolding drama. He reminisces about his upbringing in Hollis, Queens, and his connections with legends like Run DMC and LL Cool J ([03:38]). Smith initially perceived Drake's legal approach as "tripping" ([03:38]) and advocated for resolving conflicts within the studio rather than through legal battles ([04:12]).

Key Points:

• Emphasizes the importance of handling disputes within the creative process.
• Criticizes the use of legal means to address conflicts that traditionally would be settled lyrically in hip-hop.
• Acknowledges understanding Drake's frustration but maintains that legal action undermines hip-hop's foundational principles.

Notable Quote:

"For me, when I bring up hip hop culture, my initial response... is go handle your business in that studio."
— Stephen A. Smith [03:38]

Kendrick Lamar’s Response

Throughout the discussion, Kendrick Lamar interjects to defend his stance, reaffirming that he would not resort to legal actions but believes Drake should either concede or respond with another diss track ([04:33]). Lamar emphasizes his commitment to authenticity and respect within the genre.

Key Points:

• Lamar rejects the notion of using legal avenues to settle artistic disputes.
• Encourages Drake to respond creatively rather than resorting to litigation.
• Highlights the mutual benefits for UMG when both artists continue to produce popular content.

Notable Quote:

"I firmly believe that Drake should... make sure it Eclipse is not like us, one or the other."
— Kendrick Lamar [04:36]

Implications and Analysis

Smith analyzes the broader ramifications of the lawsuit, questioning Universal Music Group's motivations. He suggests that UMG may prioritize profit over artist welfare, noting that both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are valuable assets to the company ([06:17]). Smith is concerned about the long-term impact on Drake's legacy and the potential dilution of hip-hop's cultural integrity.

Key Points:

• UMG's role in facilitating or exacerbating the conflict between artists.
• The potential legacy damage to Drake if allegations persist or escalate.
• The importance of maintaining hip-hop's cultural authenticity amidst commercial pressures.

Notable Quote:

"Universal Music Group, both of them are under that umbrella... they're trying to Profit off of you in any way they can."
— Stephen A. Smith [06:13]

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Stephen A. Smith acknowledges the complexity of the situation, understanding both Drake's and Kendrick Lamar's perspectives. While he maintains his initial stance favoring in-studio resolutions, Smith recognizes the evolving challenges artists face in the modern music industry. The episode underscores the tension between artistic expression and corporate interests, leaving listeners to contemplate the future dynamics of hip-hop rivalries.

Final Thoughts:

• The interplay between personal disputes and corporate strategies in the music industry.
• The delicate balance artists must maintain between authenticity and commercial viability.
• The potential for this lawsuit to set precedents for how conflicts are managed in the entertainment sector.

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References to Promotion and Ads

The episode includes advertisements and promotions for other podcasts, which are omitted from this summary as per the instructions. Relevant timestamps for non-content sections are noted but excluded from the detailed discussion.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by Stephen A. Smith regarding Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's diss track. It offers an in-depth look for listeners who may not have tuned into the original episode, providing a clear understanding of the high-stakes conflict and its implications within the hip-hop community.

Transcript

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[Greg Rosenthal]

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[Stephen A. Smith]

Let's get started with some news out of the entertainment industry and it's something that we've touched on before, y'all. Drake, you know that brother. He's gone ahead and filed a lawsuit against his own record company, Universal Music Group, for Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Attorneys for Drake say the song, which.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Is aimed at the Canadian rapper, is an example of valuing, quote, corporate greed over the safety and well being of its artists. End quote.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Kendrick released Not Like Us last summer.

[Stephen A. Smith]

After a series of diss tracks exchanged between the two artists in the spring. On the song, Lamar calls Drake a pedophile and accuses him of of appropriating black culture. Again, both artists are under Universal Music Group umbrella. Here's a portion of the claims in the suit written by Drake's attorney.

[Kendrick Lamar]

They claim UMG quote, approved, published and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track that.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Was intended to convey the specific, unmistakable and false factual allegation that Drake is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

A criminal pedophile and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response. End quote. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm torn and I want to be very, very sensitive to this subject because I'm a product of the hip hop genre and what have you. I grew up in Hollis, Queens, New York City listening to Run dmc. They're from Hollis. Jam Master J. The late Jam Master J, God rest his soul was great friends with my late brother Basil. God rest his soul. Ll Cool J grew up five minutes down the block on Farmers Boulevard. You know, the ja rules, the 50 cents of the world, and others from Queensland. So for me, when I bring up hip hop culture, my initial response, which hasn't changed that much, by the way, is go handle your business in that studio. See, Drake got sensitive with a lot of people when he went After DeMar DeRozan talking about, you know, what he would not go for? His jersey being hung in the rafters. You know, when he was put off by LeBron James dancing to Drake's music. And you know, when DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook and these brothers were on stage while Kendrick Lamar.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Lamar was performing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Not like us.

[Kendrick Lamar]

They all from Compton, not LeBron, but they from LA. That's not a crime. So in. In that regard, I thought Drake was tripping. I was of the mindset, like, yo, handle it in the studio. He got you today. That don't mean he gonna get you next week. And if he got you, he got you. But if you got sent better something, the Eclipse not like us do that. Because Drake, you that great, you that special. What's the problem? Get in the studio and handle it like that. You don't handle it in a courtroom. That's not how you address contention in the hip hop industry when it comes.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To actual records being made.

[Kendrick Lamar]

That's not what you do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And I stand on that.

[Kendrick Lamar]

I firmly believe that Drake should do.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One or two things.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Stand down and say he got me, or stand up. By going in the studio and making another diss track of your own and making sure it Eclipse is not like us, one or the other. I firmly believe that. I'm not backing down or bow down from that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I'm gonna tell y'all where Drake hits me and my sensitive side, dare I say, comes into play. When you have to move your child and his mother out of elementary school, when he's being threatened in school, when the mother and the child have to move out of Toronto, according to the reports, that's what it says for safety reasons. When you've been accused and people think there's validity, not just, you know, lyrical dissection, dissection, but literally they're attaching legitimacy to allegations and accusations of you being a pedophile, then it gets a little dicey because umg, I mean, Universal Music Group, both of them are under that umbrella. I'm not going to look at Universal Music Group and say, well, it was a crime for them trying to profit off of you. Hell yeah, they trying to Profit off of you in any way they can, whether it's through your music or somebody else's music about you. The record company. Of course that's what they're going to do.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Cross.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is what they're going to do.

[Kendrick Lamar]

One could argue they should be a bit sensitive to one of their own artists. But in their mind, did it compromise your bottom line?

[Stephen A. Smith]

They don't think so.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Did it compromise Kendrick Lamar's bottom line since he's under the umbrella as well? Damn sure. Didn't it big up Tim. It's making him a boatload of money. That means it's going to make them a boatload of money. And their attitude is they probably were expecting you to come back with even more material to go at him with. And they could make money off of both of y'all. That's what they probably were thinking. That ain't what happened, so. Because that's not what happened. And when you consider the level of sensitivity that's been brought to the equation.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Because again, he was basically accused of being a pedophile. Appropriate black culture. I don't want to hear all of that. That's a different subject for another day. But being called the pedophile. He's a dad. You, in this universe is your own music. Is your own music company that's promoting this stuff.

[Kendrick Lamar]

Okay. All right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I understand. I'm not as dogged, as against it as I once was. Even though I still wouldn't do it. I understand where Drake's coming from. I just think that ultimately he's defeating the purpose. Because in the end, you're a hip hop artist who's gonna want your music to be absorbed by the masses in the future. Cause you far from a finished product. And there's gonna be an abundance of people out there that look at this as a weak way to come at somebody like Kendrick Lamar who came at you the way that he did. They want you to come back the same way or bow down to the fact that you. You got shook. That's how people are. I can see both sides of this. Before, I could only see the one side of this looked weak. To be using the law to come after artists that took it to you in the studio. But I get where you coming from now. I do see it.

[Kendrick Lamar]

I still wouldn't do it, but that's me.

[Stephen A. Smith]

A lot of people I know. But I understand why Drake could feel differently about this. I do.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swearbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie swearbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swearbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swearbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swearbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.