HOUSTON – A resolution has been reached between Drake and iHeartMedia concerning a legal conflict surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s track, “Not Like Us.” Settlement details have emerged from court documents related to the dispute.
Last November, the music artist Drake initiated a legal proceeding in Bexar County, Texas. He accused iHeartMedia of allegedly receiving illicit payments from Universal Music Group (UMG) to enhance radio play for the previously mentioned track. Universal Music Group is the parent company for both Drake and Lamar.
The initial legal filing sought the testimonies of corporate officials from both parties involved. Recently, a court document filed by Drake’s legal team revealed that both Drake and iHeartMedia have “reached an amicable resolution of the dispute,” though further details were not disclosed.
“We are pleased that the parties were able to reach a settlement satisfactory to both sides, and have no further comment on this matter,” stated Drake’s legal representatives, maintaining their stance on confidentiality.
iHeartMedia chose not to comment on the settlement when approached via email. However, the legal allegations against UMG continue, with a hearing scheduled to address UMG’s request to dismiss Drake’s petition.
Drake’s allegations against UMG highlight claims of “irregular and inappropriate business practices” concerning airplay of “Not Like Us.” It further claims that the track, along with its promotional materials, takes aim at Drake by falsely accusing him of severe criminal activities, posing a significant defamation issue.
An email inquiry sent to a UMG representative for their response has yet to be answered.
Additionally, Drake initiated a defamation lawsuit earlier this year in New York City’s federal court, targeting UMG based on supposed false allegations outlined in “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit, however, does not include Kendrick Lamar as a respondent.
The simmering animosity between Drake, a Canadian artist boasting numerous accolades including five Grammy Awards, and Kendrick Lamar, a celebrated Pulitzer Prize winner who was a headline performer at the recent Super Bowl halftime show, is one of the most prominent rivalries in the modern hip-hop scene.
Adding to the industry’s intrigue, the Federal Communications Commission reached out to iHeartMedia’s CEO Robert Pittman. The focus of the inquiry is whether the audio company is coercing musicians to perform at its upcoming country music festival in Austin for discounted rates, purportedly in exchange for favorable radio play.
“We look forward to demonstrating to the Commission how performing at the iHeartCountry Festival – or declining to do so – has no bearing on our stations’ airplay,” asserted iHeartMedia. “We do not make any overt or covert agreements about airplay with artists performing at our events.”
