A resurfaced interview clip with music executive Steven Victor, manager of the late rapper Pop Smoke, reignited a firestorm online. Victor claimed that Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s largest record labels, threatened to shelve Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon unless a verse by rapper Pusha T perceived as a diss toward Drake was removed. The clip, shared on X , garnered thousands of views and sparked heated discussions about creative control, censorship, and corporate influence in the hip-hop industry.
In the resurfaced interview, Victor revealed that UMG executives believed Pusha T’s verse on the track “Paranoia,” intended for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, was a veiled diss at Drake. Victor insisted the verse was not aimed at Drake, but UMG issued an ultimatum: change the lyrics or remove the track, or the entire album would be shelved.
“They’re like, ‘Either change these lyrics or we’re not putting the album out,’”
Victor said.
The controversial verse, included lines like:
“If the patois is not followed by a Blocka,” referencing Drake’s use of Jamaican dialect, and “I might even buy a home out in Mississauga,”
a city near Drake’s hometown of Toronto. These were interpreted by UMG as subtle jabs, prompting their demand for changes.
Initially, “Paranoia,” featuring Pusha T, Young Thug, and Gunna, was excluded from the standard album release on July 3, 2020, due to what Victor called a “glitch”. After the track leaked online, Young Thug publicly criticized Pusha T’s verse, distancing himself and Gunna from the Drake feud. Pusha T then demanded his verse be removed to avoid detracting from Pop Smoke’s legacy. A version of “Paranoia” without Pusha T’s verse was included in the deluxe edition released on July 20, 2020.
UMG has not publicly responded to the allegations, consistent with their silence on similar past incidents, such as the removal of Pusha T’s verse from Rick Ross’s “Maybach Music VI”. The lack of response leaves Victor’s account as the primary narrative, supported by the documented exclusion of “Paranoia” from the initial album release.
This incident is not isolated. The music industry often navigates complex relationships between artists, especially when major labels like UMG manage multiple high-profile figures. Drake, a global superstar, wields significant influence, and labels may prioritize protecting his brand to avoid conflicts that could impact commercial success.
The controversy raises critical questions about the ethics of posthumous album releases. When an artist like Pop Smoke is no longer alive to approve changes, who decides what represents their vision? Victor’s frustration
“What happened to freedom of speech?”
echoes broader concerns about corporate censorship in hip-hop, where labels can alter or suppress content to protect business interests.
Fan reactions on X highlight accusations of double standards. Users like @darklanetape questioned UMG’s consistency, noting that the label heavily promoted Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 diss track “Not Like Us,” which targeted Drake and became a chart-topping hit, winning five Grammys. @big_croner called Drake “the most protected artist by the system,” suggesting UMG’s actions in 2020 were overly cautious (X Post). Conversely, some fans, like @Real_neristo, praised Drake’s influence, while others dismissed the controversy as clout-chasing.
