NEW YORK, NY A posthumous track from the late rapper Pop Smoke was reportedly blocked from his debut album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, by Universal Music Group (UMG) over concerns that a featured verse from Pusha T contained lyrical jabs aimed at Drake. The revelation has added another layer to the ongoing discussions about label influence and artist rivalries in the music industry.
The controversy surrounds the song "Paranoia," which was slated to include verses from Pusha T, Young Thug, and Gunna. However, when the album was released in July 2020, the track was notably absent.
Steven Victor, Pop Smoke's manager and CEO of Victor Victor Worldwide, has since claimed in interviews that UMG expressed apprehension about Pusha T's verse, believing it to be a veiled diss towards Drake. According to Victor, the label threatened to halt the release of the entire album unless the verse was altered or removed. Ultimately, the song was pulled from the official tracklist, though it later leaked online, fueling speculation among fans.
This alleged move by UMG has drawn further attention in light of the recent high-profile feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, with many observers pointing to it as an example of the label's perceived protection of its top-tier artists.
The situation was further complicated when Young Thug publicly voiced his disapproval of Pusha T's verse after the song's leak. In a social media post, Young Thug stated he did not want to be involved in the beef between Pusha T and Drake.
Pusha T, who has a well-documented history of lyrical sparring with Drake, has not shied away from the controversy. He has suggested that Drake's influence within the industry may have led to the track being shelved.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about creative control, the power dynamics between artists and labels, and the impact of personal feuds on musical collaborations. While UMG has not officially commented on the allegations, the story of "Paranoia" continues to be a significant talking point among hip-hop fans and industry insiders alike.
