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Contrary to Drake’s views on UMG today, they were genuinely striving to support him a few years back. In a recent interview with Steven Victor featured on Billboard, we learned that the label nearly scrapped a Pop Smoke album because of a verse by Pusha T. Victor was discussing the Virginia rapper, whom he has been managing for a considerable time.
This subject was brought up due to remarks from the Clipse rapper in his latest feature for GQ. In that discussion, the rapper spoke about two tracks he would have appeared on if not for some alleged shots at Drake. Those tracks were “Maybach Music VI” by Rick Ross and Pop Smoke’s “Paranoia.”
Victor addressed the latter, explaining that UMG believed King Push was taking jabs at their artist. “What happened with the Pop Smoke song is that UMG thought he was dissing Drake. He wasn’t, but they believed he was,” the manager explained.
“Pop Smoke was released under my label [Victor Victor], and of course, I managed Pusha. They approached me and said, ‘We’re not putting this out unless Pusha changes these lyrics.’ Even though it had nothing to do with Pop Smoke, they insisted, ‘Either he alters these lyrics, or we won’t release the album.’
Clipse New Album
Victor was completely taken aback by UMG’s opposition, remarking, “What happened to freedom of speech? For starters, he’s not dissing Drake. But how can they dictate that he must change his lyrics or the album won’t be released?”
In the end, UMG did get their way. “Paranoia,” which appeared on the deluxe version of Pop Smoke’s hit record Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon, ended up featuring different artists. Gunna and Young Thug replaced the influential drill rapper instead.
In the process, they lost the rights to release Clipse’s upcoming album, Let God Sort Em Out, set to drop on July 11. Similarly, Pusha T refused to compromise on his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, even though the label found it controversial and potentially aimed at The Boy as well.
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