Hip-hop duo Clipse has been dropped from their Def Jam record deal after refusing to remove Kendrick Lamar from a song on their upcoming album, Let God Sort ‘Em Out.
The issue stemmed from Kendrick’s verse on the track “Chains & Whips”, which the label, under Universal Music Group (UMG), viewed as problematic due to ongoing tensions involving Drake.
UMG reportedly pushed back against the collaboration, citing the “optics” of two of Drake’s biggest rivals—Pusha T and Kendrick Lamar—appearing together on the same track, especially amid Drake’s ongoing lawsuit against the company.
Def Jam allegedly asked Pusha T to either censor Kendrick’s verse or remove the song. Pusha refused, calling the label’s concerns “stupid” and stating that the verse contained no disses—direct or subliminal—toward Drake.
After a month-long stalemate, Def Jam chose to release Clipse from their contract, also ending Pusha T’s solo deal. The duo has since signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, where their completed album will be released on July 11. The Kendrick Lamar feature will remain on the final version.
This development underscores rising tensions within the hip-hop world and Clipse’s commitment to maintaining creative control, despite industry pressure.
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