Drake’s Lawsuit & LiAngelo Ball’s Def Jam Deal

2025 is off to a quick get started within the hip-hop international as Billboard Unfiltered returns with any other logo new episode on Friday (Jan. 17).

The fellas swerve and bend that nook whilst discussing LiAngelo Ball’s reported $8 million take care of Def Jam, which is value as much as $13 million, Drake going forward along with his defamation lawsuit in opposition to Common Song Team and extra.

Gelo’s “Tweaker” hit debuted at No. 29 in this week’s Billboard Scorching 100, however staffers Kyle Denis and Damien Scott aren’t too assured he’ll be ready reflect this type of good fortune going ahead. “He may get $2 [million] of that. The remainder of it will be put towards if truth be told making his tune a good fortune. And signing and generating tune beneath his label,” Scott mentioned. “I’m completely stunned that they gave him a label deal. He’s proven no enjoy at making tune. We haven’t any concept how this music used to be made.”

Denis doesn’t suppose there’s any “singular music value a deal like this. And if that music exists, it’s no longer ‘Tweaker.’”

He persevered to mention there’s a philosophical misjudment through the labels latching directly to who makes the viral observe relatively than figuring out why one thing goes viral. “[People] sought after to listen to stuff like that. Possibly they didn’t wish to pay attention extra Gelo,” Denis added. “The label noticed that and mentioned, ‘Y’all need extra LiAngelo.’”

Each Denis and Scott would’ve relatively observed Def Jam unfold out the tens of millions of bucks to different rising artists relatively than making a bet giant on Gelo.

The rap international idea Drake used to be backing down when he withdrew his prison petitions in opposition to UMG, however hours later, returned with an reliable lawsuit in opposition to his label filed in New York for defamation surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s “No longer Like Us” previous this week.

“It’s gonna be a difficult case for him,” Scott steered. The talk went directly to the lawsuit being a ploy in his contract renegotiation for his subsequent deal. “Any individual will give Drake the cash he desires. He’s too giant — it’s Drake, bro. That is craziness.”

Kyle Denis hasn’t taken the lawsuit severely since the “go well with hinges at the concept Drake’s popularity used to be pristine ahead of ‘No longer Like Us’ and that’s only a myth.”

He added: “Have a look at how folks reacted to For All The Canines, have a look at how folks reacted to Her Loss when he got here at Megan [Thee Stallion]… I will’t in point of fact take a seat right here and act like ‘No longer Like Us’ is the supply of all this Drake hate.”

At one time, Drake may make this move away through losing his subsequent hit and that simply hasn’t took place. “Your bread and butter used to only be drop a banger and also you’d be again,” Denis mentioned. “And that hasn’t labored for you but, and now you ran to the Southern District of New York.”

Watch the overall episode beneath.