Drake’s recent accusations against Universal Music Group have sent ripples through the music community. These aren’t mere whispers but come with some serious backing from a familiar voice.
Funkmaster Flex, a well-known name in the radio world, threw his support behind Drake’s allegations. He took to social media to emphasize that Drake is totally right about the issue of payola in the music industry.
Drake has filed legal actions against Universal Music Group, claiming that they’re using illegal tactics to boost Kendrick Lamar’s song, ‘Not Like Us.’ According to Drake, the company resorts to payola and streaming bots to artificially inflate popularity.
Flex explained through his social media posts how much it allegedly costs to get radio play on different formats. He detailed expenses like $350,000 for pop radio and $250,000 for urban radio, among others. Flex believes these tactics prevent independent artists from rising to stardom.
He continued his revelations by pointing out that some DJs take payments under the table. He even teased the idea of naming names, showing his eagerness for people to realize the seriousness of the issue.
Flex passionately claimed that DJs should play songs based on their merit and not due to financial arrangements. He admitted his stance might lead to him being ostracized in the industry but maintained it was important to voice out.
While Flex supports these claims, Drake’s legal filings specifically accuse Universal of paying radio stations to play ‘Not Like Us’ without revealing the financial exchanges. Drake doesn’t name any stations but wants depositions from iHeartMedia executives.
Universal has quickly denied these claims, stating that suggesting they undermine their artists is not only offensive but also false. They claim to maintain high ethical standards in their marketing strategies.
Drake, however, stresses that the company’s alleged schemes have caused him financial damage. He’s also accusing Universal of defamation for releasing a song with allegations against him.
The controversy surrounding payola is far from over. With Drake’s bold move and Funkmaster Flex’s backing, the music industry may need to address these longstanding concerns about fairness and transparency.
