Budden: Wayne Denied Drake Masters Over Girl?

Did a rumored past entanglement lead to a major business decision? Joe Budden and his podcast co-hosts are diving deep into the speculation surrounding Lil Wayne’s $100 million masters sale to Universal Music Group (UMG) back in 2020. The deal reportedly included the masters for Drake and Nicki Minaj as well, and the podcast crew is questioning the dynamics behind it.

The Masters Sale and Potential Friction

While the exact details of the UMG deal remain somewhat murky, the hosts on The Joe Budden Podcast (JBP) seemed to agree that Wayne not selling the masters back to his mentees, Drake and Nicki Minaj, could be a point of contention. However, Joe Budden took the speculation a step further, suggesting a deeply personal reason might be at play.

Budden posited that Lil Wayne might have denied Drake his masters due to resurfaced accusations from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, ‘Not Like Us.’ The track alluded to Drake allegedly sleeping with Lil Wayne’s girlfriend while Wayne was incarcerated. Budden emphasized that this is purely speculative, but it’s a theory that adds a dramatic layer to the business transaction.

UMG’s Role and Drake’s Lawsuit

Another theory discussed on the JBP was that UMG specifically wanted Drake’s masters as part of the larger deal with Wayne. This, they theorized, could have led to a rift between the two artists. Budden admitted he couldn’t confirm these rumors, but the idea of strategic business moves impacting personal relationships is a recurring theme.

Interestingly, this discussion comes as Drake is reportedly seeking an appeal over the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against UMG. The lawsuit accused the label of defaming him by releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us.’ It’s a complex web of business dealings, personal relationships, and legal battles that continues to unfold.

Speculation Abounds

With Lil Wayne reportedly focused on other matters, it’s unlikely he’ll publicly address these theories anytime soon. This situation serves as a prime example of how much speculation and interpretation can surround massive business deals in the music industry. The interplay between personal history and professional decisions often fuels endless discussion among fans and commentators.