Kanye West Publicly Supports Drake in Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group

Kanye West has made headlines by openly supporting Drake in the rapper’s high-profile legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG), marking a dramatic shift in their long and tumultuous relationship. West’s statements and actions have ignited conversation throughout the music industry about artist rights, label power, and the need for unity among musicians.

Kanye West’s Declaration of Support

On April 17, 2025, Kanye West posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) where he celebrated Drake’s ongoing lawsuit against UMG, calling it “the biggest victory in music history.” In the video, West expressed his joy and emphasized the importance of the moment for artists everywhere. He referenced the ongoing disputes involving Drake, Kendrick Lamar, the Super Bowl, and the Grammys, stating, “Yo, I’m so happy right now, you don’t understand. With this UMG, Drake, Kendrick situation, Super Bowl, Grammys — this shit was driving me and you know where it should be driving me, but this is the biggest victory in music history right here”.

West also made it clear that he was ending his feud with Drake, declaring, “I’m never finna call Drake out of his name. I’m Team Drake, 100%. And Team Kendrick and Team all of us! Kendrick needs to be going at UMG at this point”. He further called for unity among artists, urging them to stop targeting each other and instead challenge the power structures within the music industry: “Let’s stop aiming all this at each other. Bro, you have no idea… Everything is worth everything for a moment like this, where we stop going at each other and we go at the slave masters”.

Details of Drake’s Lawsuit Against UMG

Drake’s lawsuit, filed in April 2025, accuses UMG of defamation, harassment, and neglect. The suit centers on UMG’s alleged role in promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claims spread false and damaging narratives about him, including accusations of criminal behavior. The track was performed at the Super Bowl halftime show and promoted during the Grammy Awards, both events with massive global audiences. Drake alleges that UMG’s actions led to real-world consequences, such as a drive-by shooting and attempted break-ins at his Toronto home.

The lawsuit asserts that UMG used its influence to orchestrate a campaign to damage Drake’s reputation, leveraging high-profile platforms to amplify the diss track’s impact. UMG, for its part, has strongly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit “frivolous” and defending its support for artistic freedom and provocative work. The label argued that it would not seek to harm any artist, especially one as commercially successful as Drake, and suggested that the lawsuit’s motivations were more strategic than substantive.

Kanye’s Shift in Tone and Industry Impact

Kanye West’s support for Drake is notable given their history of public feuds and diss tracks. In his recent remarks, West referenced his own remix of “Like That,” in which he previously criticized both Drake and UMG CEO Lucian Grainge. Now, West is urging artists to unite against what he calls the “slave masters” of the industry, a term he has used in the past to describe record labels’ exploitative practices.

West’s comments signal a significant change in his approach, prioritizing collective action over personal rivalries. He also posted a link to Drake’s amended lawsuit and praised Drake for “going at the machine,” calling it an important moment in music history.

Ongoing Controversy and Reactions

Despite his public support, Kanye West has continued to generate controversy. In a recent livestream, he previewed a song from his upcoming album WW3 containing inflammatory lyrics directed at Drake. However, West has also expressed admiration for Drake’s artistry, stating on social media that he regrets past jealousy and wants Drake to speak at his funeral.

The legal battle has sparked broader debate about the power dynamics in the music industry, the responsibilities of labels when promoting provocative content, and the boundaries of artistic freedom. While the outcome of Drake’s lawsuit remains uncertain, the case has already prompted renewed discussion about protecting artists and holding labels accountable for their actions.

Summary Table: Key Points in the Kanye West–Drake–UMG Story

This moment marks a potential turning point in how artists confront the music industry’s power structures, with Kanye West’s endorsement amplifying calls for solidarity and reform.