Drake and iHeartMedia Settle Legal Dispute Over Not Like Us Airplay

Drake has reached a settlement with Texas-based iHeartMedia in his legal dispute over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, according to court records. In November, Drake filed a petition in Bexar County, Texas, alleging that iHeartMedia received illicit payments from Universal Music Group (UMG) to boost radio airplay for Not Like Us. Both artists…

Drake has reached a settlement with Texas-based iHeartMedia in his legal dispute over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, according to court records.

In November, Drake filed a petition in Bexar County, Texas, alleging that iHeartMedia received illicit payments from Universal Music Group (UMG) to boost radio airplay for Not Like Us. Both artists are signed to UMG. The petition, a precursor to a potential lawsuit, sought depositions from corporate representatives of iHeartMedia and UMG.

On Thursday, Drake’s attorneys confirmed an “amicable resolution” with iHeartMedia but provided no further details. iHeartMedia told Billboard that Drake agreed to drop his petition in exchange for documents proving no wrongdoing, with no financial settlements involved.

However, Drake’s claims against UMG remain active. A hearing regarding UMG’s motion to dismiss the petition was scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio. Drake has accused UMG of “irregular and inappropriate business practices” and claimed Not Like Us falsely portrays him as a sex offender. In January, he filed a separate defamation lawsuit against UMG in New York, though Lamar is not named.

Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating iHeartMedia over allegations it pressures artists to perform at its events in exchange for favourable radio airplay. iHeartMedia denies any such agreements.

The feud between Drake, a five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist and Super Bowl headliner, remains one of hip-hop’s most significant rivalries in recent years.

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