Drake and iHeartMedia Settle Over "Not Like Us" Controversy, But the Battle Isn't Over

Drake has one legal battle behind him but another one to go. The rap superstar has officially settled his ongoing dispute with iHeartMedia over Kendrick Lamar's demeaning diss track "Not Like Us." Though details are not public, a Feb. 28 announcement stated that the two sides struck an "amicable resolution."

The settlement ended a legal stalemate that began in November 2024 when Drake sued in Bexar County, Texas. His claim? That iHeartMedia had accepted under-the-table payments from Universal Music Group (UMG) to promote the radio play of Lamar's seething takedown track. The legal move had many readers scratching their heads about the mechanics of radio airplay, and the music industry has a grip on it.

Drake's lawyers issued a terse statement: "We are glad both sides have agreed to a mutually satisfactory settlement, and we have no additional comment on the matter." It's a classic case of having the paperwork do the talking.

If his fight with iHeartMedia is already in the past, Drake's battle with Universal Music Group is still going strong. The rapper has accused UMG of shady business practices, alleging that the label utilized artificial streaming initiatives, bots, and other infamous methods to boost the success of "Not Like Us." According to Drake, this not only sullied his reputation but endangered his safety, especially after Lamar called him a "certified pedophile" in one of his songs.

In his lawsuit against UMG, Drake also claims that the company was well aware of the track's content, including its album art and music video, which the artist claims falsely accused him of committing serious crimes.

However, recent turns indicate that Drake is changing tactics. Court documents reveal that he is dropping "key allegations" against UMG, although it is unclear which allegations those are. This action has led to speculation that his case could be substantial enough to pass the test of a courtroom.

UMG, for its part, is pushing back and seeking a delay for an upcoming pretrial conference. Their argument? Drake's offense may not be as severe as the case made out. If they can slow proceedings, that may turn the momentum in their favor.

For now, Drake can check iHeartMedia off his list of legal foes. But with UMG still in his sights, that saga isn't over. If nothing else, it's a reminder that beneath each headline-making diss track is a whole machine of business, influence, and power plays.

One thing is sure: the drama among Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and the industry heavies making the moves isn't simmering anytime soon. It remains to be seen how this legal showdown unfolds, and all eyes are on the fans and industry insiders.