In a recent episode of Club Ambition, the hosts break down Tory Lanez’s latest comments from jail, where he spoke with the Nelk Boys about Drake’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), as well as his own stance in rap competition.
Lanez claims Drake’s lawsuit against UMG is not about losing his battle with Kendrick Lamar but rather an attempt to spark a revolution for artists’ independence. He suggests that if more artists follow Drake’s lead, it could change the industry’s power dynamics. Tory, who has long advocated for independence in music, aligns himself with Drake’s fight, believing it could shift control away from labels and back to the artists.
Tory also addressed speculation that he dissed Kendrick Lamar in his recent collaboration with DDG. He clarified that his lyrics weren’t aimed at Kendrick specifically but at the rap industry as a whole. He sees himself as a competitive artist and even admitted he wished he could have stepped into Drake’s shoes to battle Kendrick directly.
The Club Ambition hosts acknowledge Tory’s battle-rap skills, pointing out that he has won all of his past lyrical feuds. However, they question whether he could stand a real chance against Kendrick Lamar, considering their different artistic styles and Kendrick’s dominance in lyricism. One host notes that Tory has long harbored aspirations of being on Drake’s level, even in the past when he publicly challenged him.
The discussion shifts to Drake’s continued support for Tory Lanez despite the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case. Unlike many in the industry, Drake has openly sided with Tory, even taking subliminal shots at Megan in his music. This has allegedly caused friction between Drake and Roc Nation, given the label’s strong backing of Megan. The hosts speculate that Jay-Z and his team might not be pleased with Drake’s stance.
While Tory believes Drake is leading a movement, the Club Ambition hosts question whether Drake is truly committed to artist independence or if this is just a strategic move following his rap beef. They argue that if Drake wants to be seen as a revolutionary figure, he needs to fully embrace independent artistry rather than just teasing the idea.
To add to the speculation, Drake’s producer Gordo recently tweeted, “Everything will soon come to light, and we are not accepting apologies.” This suggests that something major is on the horizon, though it’s unclear whether it relates to the UMG lawsuit, the Kendrick Lamar feud, or another industry shift.
The hosts wrap up the conversation by debating Tory’s self-confidence. While they appreciate his competitive spirit, they question whether he truly believes he could take on Kendrick Lamar in a lyrical battle. With Tory still in jail and allegedly using AI to create music, it’s uncertain how much influence he can maintain in the rap game.
Would Drake leading a major shift in artist independence actually change the industry? Or is this just another chess move in hip-hop’s ongoing power struggles? Club Ambition leaves these questions open for debate.
