Snoop Dogg has shared his thoughts on Drake filing legal action against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar‘s ‘Not Like Us’ – find out more below.
Drake recently filed two legal disputes against Universal Music Group in relation to ‘Not Like Us’, which spawned from their heated feud earlier this year. The first dispute, filed in New York, alleges that UMG “artificially inflated” streaming numbers for ‘Not Like Us’ and involved undisclosed “pay-to-play” schemes.
The second dispute – filed in Texas – alleges defamation, claiming that UMG “knowingly” approved of ‘Not Like Us’ being released despite Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics alleging that Drake is a “pedophile”.
Kendrick Lamar’s team have yet to respond to NME‘s attempts to reach out for comment. Meanwhile UMG said regarding both filings: “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Now, Snoop Dogg – who was caught in the middle of the two rappers’ feud after sharing a snippet of Drake’s ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ on social media despite having in the past championed Kendrick – has thoughts on the legal filings.
Appearing on a recent episode of The Bootleg Kev Podcast to promote his new album ‘Missionary‘, Snoop was asked what he thought about Drake’s filings. After initially declining to answer, the rapper briefly replied: “On the West, we hold court in the streets. That’s just what we call it.”
He then touched on his involvement in the feud, clarifying that he’s on Kendrick Lamar’s side: “[Lamar is] a rapper, he’s supposed to speak his mind and tell his truth. I’m his big homeboy, so I have to take what’s said from his perspective because he’s speaking truth. I’m willing to accept truth when it’s brought to me directly.”
Snoop then explained that he didn’t know he had posted ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ on social media: “I did a collaborative post with someone. When I do [a collaborative post], I don’t listen to the music, I just see ‘Gin and Juice,’ cause it’s my brand. So, when I post it, I’m thinking I posted ‘Gin and Juice,’ I don’t know what song it is, I’m not hip to everybody’s music. Then I get the word, ‘Nephew didn’t like what you did.”
Snoop Dogg then said he deleted the post and left Kendrick a quick voicemail: “Nephew, it’s Uncle Snoop, I got your message and I apologise. I was fucked up. My bad.”
Snoop Dogg’s ‘Missionary’ scored a three-star review from NME, with Kyann-Sian Williams writing: “‘Missionary’ is an underwhelming sequel where the inspirational tone feels forced, and the sonic versatility hinders the whole project. Dre and Snoop forgot the legacy they created for the West Coast with ‘Doggystyle’ and – although there are flashes of fun – the forgettable collection barely scratches the surface of their legendary status.”
