Def Jam Drops Clipse Over Kendrick Lamar Feature, Group Signs Roc Nation

Virginia Beach rap duo Clipse faced a major setback with their album Let God Sort ‘Em Out due to a dispute with Def Jam and its parent company Universal Music Group (UMG) over a Kendrick Lamar feature on the track "Chains & Whips." UMG was concerned about the optics of featuring Lamar alongside Pusha T, both known rivals of Drake, who is suing UMG over Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us." Def Jam demanded that Lamar censor his verse or that the track be removed; Clipse refused, leading to the termination of both the duo's group contract and Pusha T's solo deal. This fallout freed Clipse to sign with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, where they feel more creatively supported, and their album is now set for release through Roc Nation on July 11. Pusha T dismissed UMG's concerns as "stupid," emphasizing that Lamar’s verse contained no direct disses toward Drake. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the hip-hop industry linked to the Drake-Lamar feud and its impact on label decisions.