A$AP Rocky Thinks Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef Was ‘Healthy For Hip-Hop,’ Slams Lawsuit Against UMG

The bitter and widely followed musical rivalry between rap superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar intensified after Lamar’s Grammy-winning track "Not Like Us," only to take an unforeseen legal detour. Drake initiated a lawsuit against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming the high-profile dispute had severely harmed his marketability. This legal action injected corporate litigation into what had been a creative battle, raising questions across the music industry about where artistic competition ends and financial interests begin. The situation highlights a modern reality: rap conflicts can swiftly evolve from lyrical sparring into intricate legal and commercial confrontations.

Numerous artists were pulled into the fray, either choosing sides or contributing musically. A prominent instance was A$AP Rocky’s appearance on Future and Metro Boomin’s "Show of Hands," a track widely interpreted as targeting Drake. The lyrics contained sharp references to Rihanna—Drake’s ex and Rocky’s current partner—including provocative jabs about trust and the commercial reception of a recent Drake release. Such guest appearances demonstrate how major rap disputes frequently expand beyond the original participants, transforming personal friction into sprawling, multi-artist public dramas.

In a recent Elle interview, A$AP Rocky shared his perspective on the clash. He initially viewed the exchange of diss tracks as positive, stating it was "healthy for hip-hop." However, he expressed strong criticism of the subsequent legal maneuvers, asking pointedly, "What part of the game is that?" Rocky explained he deliberately distanced himself, believing the contest should stay confined to the two principal artists. This stance reflects a traditional hip-hop principle that artistic rivalries ought to be settled through musical skill, not courtroom filings.

Universal Music Group’s Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge—who leads the world’s largest music company—issued a sharp response to Drake’s claims. In an August court filing, Grainge labeled the suggestion that he was involved in the release of Lamar’s track as "farcical" and "ridiculous," while underscoring the hundreds of millions UMG has invested in Drake’s career. Prior to this, Drake had sought UMG’s internal records concerning Lamar’s contract and details related to serious personal allegations referenced in the diss tracks. Lamar’s songs were released through Interscope Geffen A&M, a UMG-owned powerhouse whose roster also includes global phenoms like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, further entangling corporate dynamics with the artistic confrontation.