Funk Flex Supports Drake’s Lawsuit Against UMG

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 1: DJ Funk Flex (aka Funkmaster Flex, Aston George Taylor Jr.) opens when Rapper Big Daddy Kane (aka Antonio Hardy) performs in concert with a live band at City Winery on February 1, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

Funk Flex takes up for Drake in the superstar’s newly filed lawsuits, lending his insider perspective to the payola claims. Drizzy’s claims bring serious allegations of defamation, streaming fraud, and payola into the spotlight, raising questions about industry ethics. While it’s unclear if the claims are backed by solid evidence, the accusations have already sparked significant conversations within the music world.

Funk Flex took to X to back Drake’s assertions, writing in all caps, “DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT.”

https://twitter.com/funkflex/status/1861538244279836877

He went on to outline alleged payola rates for radio spins: $350,000 for pop stations, $250,000 for urban radio, and between $3,000 and $5,000 for local DJs. Flex’s claims carry weight given his decades-long tenure in the industry. He also reminded artists that he’s never accepted bribes, stating, “ALL YOU ARTISTS KNOW I AIN’T NEVER TAKE A DIME FROM YOU, YOUR MANAGER, OR YOUR LABELS!”

The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has reached new heights, fueled by diss tracks, sharp public exchanges, and now, legal drama. Lamar’s surprise release of his album GNX last week set the rap world ablaze, with direct references to Drake, Lil Wayne, and others.

The fallout has been swift. Lil Wayne, called out by name in the album’s opening track, has warned he’ll “destroy if disturbed.” Meanwhile, Drake is entangled in legal battles with Universal Music Group, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, alleging they conspired to manipulate the commercial success of Lamar’s track “Not Like Us.”

Payola accusations are nothing new in music, but they continue to plague both traditional radio and streaming platforms. Across the Atlantic, even grime artist Stormzy found himself embroiled in controversy when a DJ was fired for allegedly selling radio spins years ago. Flex, now 56, plans to delve deeper into the issue during a special broadcast set for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. EST.

As the drama unfolds, the stakes continue to rise. With Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance scheduled for February, tensions between the two rappers—and with others like Lil Wayne—are likely to reignite. Reports suggest organizers passed over Wayne for a performance slot, a decision that could further escalate the situation.

As 2024 draws to a close, the rap world seems poised for even more turbulence before the dust settles—if it settles at all.


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