Despite Drake’s recent criticism of Universal Music Group (UMG), the label once went to great lengths to shield him from perceived lyrical shots. Steven Victor disclosed that UMG almost scrapped a Pop Smoke song because they believed Pusha T took aim at Drake in his verse.

Victor, who manages Pusha T and runs Victor Victor Worldwide (Pop Smoke’s label), was discussing the rapper’s legacy and career. The conversation touched on Pusha T’s comments in GQ, where he noted that his features were pulled from Rick Ross’ “Maybach Music VI” and Pop Smoke’s “Paranoia” due to perceived disses aimed at Drake.

UMG Took a Hard Line Over Suspected Drake Jab

Victor explained that although the lyrics weren't about Drake, UMG saw them as problematic.

 “What happened on the Pop Smoke song is that UMG thought he was dissing Drake. He wasn’t, but they thought he was,” Victor said. “They told me, ‘We’re not putting this out unless Pusha changes the lyrics.’ It had nothing to do with Pop, but they were firm.”

Caught between managing Pusha T and overseeing Pop Smoke’s posthumous release, Victor was stunned by the pressure. “What happened to freedom of speech?” he questioned. “First of all, it wasn’t even a diss. But to say change your verse or we scrap the whole album? That’s wild.”

In the end, UMG got its way. “Paranoia” was included on the deluxe edition of Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, but Pusha T’s verse was removed and replaced by contributions from Gunna and Young Thug.

While UMG may have controlled that situation, Def Jam lost its grip on Pusha T’s upcoming Clipse album, Let God Sort Em Out, dropping July 11. The rapper also refused to remove a Kendrick Lamar feature, which some believe may also contain subliminal shots at Drake.