Drake's new joint album, '$ome $exy $ongs 4U' with PARTYNEXTDOOR, has debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200, marking his 14th album to achieve this feat. All 21 songs from the album also landed in the Billboard Top 100, with tracks like 'Give me a hug,' 'Nokia,' and 'Crying in Chanel' leading the charts. This commercial success arrives amidst an intensifying legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG).
Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against UMG in January 2025, accusing the label of promoting Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us,' which contains controversial lyrics allegedly damaging to Drake's reputation. Drake's legal team argues that UMG amplified the song for financial gain, knowing the claims were false, particularly ahead of Lamar's Super Bowl performance and Drake's contract renegotiation in 2025.
UMG has filed a motion to postpone the pretrial conference, which Drake's attorney has criticized as an attempt to delay the legal process. The outcome of the lawsuit and contract negotiations will significantly impact Drake's future in the music industry, potentially setting a precedent for artists challenging labels over promotional decisions and reputational harm.