J Cole's manager Ibrahim Hamad denies Dreamville sale clarifies UMG deal closure and artist payouts
For those that misunderstood, we did not sell Dreamville lol. Never will, never would. We ended our Dreamville partnership with umg and some blessings came with that and When blessings come your way it's only right to share those blessings with the family. Just some clarity 🫡
— Ibrahim H. (@KingOfQueenz) August 9, 2025
'For those that misunderstood, we did not sell Dreamville lol. Never will, never would,' Hamad wrote on Twitter. 'We ended our Dreamville partnership with UMG and some blessings came with that. When blessings come your way, it's only right to share those blessings with the family. Just some clarity.'
Rumors of a sale began after label artists JID and Bas publicly discussed receiving substantial payouts when the UMG deal ended. Speaking to Elliott Wilson and on The Joe Budden Podcast, Bas revealed that Cole distributed the proceeds among the Dreamville roster.
JID praised the move as 'one of the most beautiful things in hip-hop,' adding that it's rare for artists to benefit financially when a label partnership concludes. He noted that some members could walk away from music entirely and still be financially secure, calling Cole's gesture unusually selfless in an industry he described as 'predatory.'
Bas echoed that sentiment, framing the distribution as proof of Cole's commitment to the artists he works with.
While the financial details remain undisclosed, Hamad's statement makes clear that Dreamville remains independent and under Cole's leadership. The label continues to operate actively, including promoting JID's new album and working with its roster on upcoming projects.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Drake seeks Kendrick Lamar's contract, financial, and abuse records
Drake is intensifying his legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar's hit diss track Not Like Us, seeking the court's order to release unredacted copies of Lamar's contract and records related to allegations of domestic violence. In his defamation lawsuit, the Toronto rapper — whose real name is Aubrey Graham — accuses UMG of spreading false claims that he is a pedophile to damage his reputation during contract negotiations. He alleges the company made secret payments and offered discounted licensing rates to promote Lamar's track, which followed their high-profile rap feud. Drake's legal team says UMG's 22-page contract with Lamar was provided with heavy redactions, making it 'virtually unreadable.' He is also requesting documents detailing Interscope's monthly revenues, profits, and the valuation of Lamar's music catalogue over the past five-and-a-half years, claiming they are key to proving UMG's financial motive. The rapper further seeks communications from UMG CEO Lucian Grainge, whom he suspects encouraged competition between the label's divisions and played a central role in promoting Not Like Us. Among the requests are records related to alleged domestic violence and other crimes involving Lamar, which Drake referenced in his diss track Family Matters. The feud began after Drake's 2023 collaboration with J. Cole, First Person Shooter, labeled the pair and Lamar as the 'big three.' Lamar disputed the title in Like That, sparking a series of increasingly personal diss tracks. UMG maintains that Grainge had 'no meaningful involvement' in the decisions at issue, while discovery in the case remains ongoing.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Taylor Swift reveals 12th album on Podcast
Global pop star Taylor Swift has revealed the title of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, during an appearance on the popular "New Heights" podcast, hosted by her partner Travis Kelce and his brother Jasonm Bloomsberg reported. Swift, who had teased fans with cryptic Instagram posts on Monday, appeared in a short clip released just after midnight New York time on Tuesday, in which she is seen pulling a vinyl record from a briefcase. "So I wanted to show you something," she says in the video. "This is my brand new album." An official release date has not yet been announced. The full podcast episode is scheduled to air on Wednesday (today). The appearance marks one of Swift's few on "New Heights," which has risen in popularity partly due to her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Kelce. The show ranked as the 10th most popular podcast in the US during the second quarter of 2025, according to Edison Research. The announcement comes more than a year after the release of Swift's 11th album, which topped global charts and boosted revenue for Republic Records, one of Universal Music Group's (UMG) key labels. UMG, the world's largest music company, is banking on blockbuster artists like Swift to lift sales after reporting lower-than-expected second-quarter earnings, with merchandise revenue under pressure. In May, Swift concluded a long-running dispute with her former label, Big Machine Label Group, by regaining the rights to her first six albums. Her re-recorded versions of those works have garnered strong fan support, further cementing her influence in the music industry.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Salt-N-Pepa accuse UMG of blocking masters ahead of Rock Hall induction
Hip-Hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa have filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of withholding their original master recordings and removing their music from major U.S. streaming platforms. The group claims the actions are an attempt to undermine their upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, scheduled for November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. According to the complaint, UMG has refused to return the two-inch physical master tapes containing the highest-quality versions of their albums and singles, despite multiple formal requests. The tapes remain in UMG's possession in a secure facility. Salt-N-Pepa argue these masters hold significant artistic and financial value. The dispute reportedly escalated after the group sought to reclaim their copyrights under Section 203 of the Copyright Act. The lawsuit alleges UMG responded by halting U.S. exploitation of their sound recordings, effectively removing hit tracks such as 'Push It' from streaming services. The group says this action has reduced their revenue and public visibility just months before their induction. Attorney Heidi G. Crikelair, representing Salt-N-Pepa, stated that UMG 'does not have the power to unilaterally decide when an artist is entitled to termination' and described the label's actions as pressure tactics. Salt-N-Pepa are seeking damages and the immediate return of their masters, accusing UMG of conversion and federal copyright violations. Known for breaking barriers as the first female rap group to go platinum in the U.S., they will become only the second female Hip-Hop act inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The case highlights ongoing tensions between artists and labels over ownership rights and control of music catalogs.
