Joe Budden has sought out to clarify what he believes to be one of the "biggest myths" in the music industry. He says artists like Drake, who have reportedly retained more freedom by entering into a partnership with a record label, are being misled. Budden began by citing a specific report that claimed Drake inked a licensing deal with UMG that gives him fully control over the creative direction of his music and when he releases it.
"I wanna let the audience and anybody listening know that that is one of the biggest myths that the music industry is pushing upon naive and ignorant people today, that a licensing deal means freedom," Budden began. "Listen to Joe Budden even if you don't trust me. It does not. A licensing deal does not mean you have freedom to do whatever the f*ck you want. Actually, it means the exact opposite. It means, 'You keep it.' That's the label telling you that they don't wanna be liable for none of your sh*t no way. You keep it. That's not where the value is. We're just gonna share in this license. And for us to agree to do that, here's what you have to agree to do and most of the artists cave. That's the negotiating table."
"I just think a lot of artists and creators are being fooled with the new word tricks," Budden concluded. Fans on social media have been having mixed responses to his take. One wrote: "Whenever it come to Joe and his opinion on drake I take with huge grain of salt." Another countered: "He’s 100 percent correct about licensing. You ain’t gotta believe it, but facts are facts. Those in the business know."
Drake signed the deal with Universal back in 2022. Check out Budden's full comments on the situation below. Be on the lookout for further updates on Joe Budden and Drake on HotNewHipHop.
Drake has seemingly weighed in on the debate surrounding Kendrick Lamar‘s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show — and to no surprise it appears he, too, feels Lil Wayne was snubbed.
Taking to his Instagram Stories late Tuesday (September 10), the 6 God showed support to his former Young Money label boss by posting several throwback photos of him.
The first shows a young Weezy flashing a menacing look to the camera, which could possibly be a reflection of how Drake feels about his mentor and collaborator being passed over for Super Bowl LIX in favor of his fierce rival Kendrick.
He also posted a picture of Wayne from his iconic “A Milli” video shoot, as well as earlier photos of the rap legend holding a flip phone and gambling.
A heated debate has raged in Hip Hop since Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner of next year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which takes place on February 9 in New Orleans.
Despite K. Dot’s catalog of hits and electrifying stage presence — not to mention the red-hot run he’s on following his victory over Drake, powered by his dominant diss track “Not Like Us” — some feel that Lil Wayne deserved the gig due to it going down in his hometown.
Fellow Young Money disciple Nicki Minaj reacted to the news in an explosive social media rant earlier this week in which she tore into JAY-Z, who has helped organize the halftime show since 2020.
She accused the Roc Nation boss, albeit without mentioning him by name, of “denying” Wayne the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity over personal grievances.
“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!!” she wrote on X.
She also called Hov “spiteful,” “evil” and “disgusting,” implied he’s a “house n-gger” and accused him of being in bed with the police and politicians.
Birdman echoed Nicki’s sentiments in an outburst of his own, tweeting: “These n-ggaz Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n-ggaz respek us on Gladys. Hatin shit 4real.”
Juvenile, Cam’ron, Master P, Boosie Badazz and Hurricane Chris have also voiced their disapproval over Tunechi’s perceived snub.
Wayne himself has yet to address the controversy, although he had been vocal about his desire to perform at next year’s Super Bowl.
“As an artist, this is an achievement,” he said in an interview with Taylor Rooks last year. “This has nothing to do with the sport. That’s so crazy. I don’t care what teams are playing, what city it’s in. ‘You performed for the what?!’ Like, what? Oh man, that right there is an achievement.”
Of course, Weezy could still make an appearance as a special guest, as Master P has suggested. But that would no doubt complicate his relationship with Drake given his protégé’s high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar.