Joe Budden Calls Out Drake Over UMG Lawsuit: “You’re Ruining Hip-Hop”

Joe Budden didn’t mince words in his latest critique of Drake, accusing the global superstar of undermining hip-hop culture with his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). Speaking on The Joe Budden Podcast, the former rapper likened Drake to a “Karen” for what he described as playing both the aggressor and the victim in his feud with the major record label. The lawsuit, which has stirred controversy in the music industry, alleges defamation against Drake by UMG. However, Budden believes the move reflects poorly on the genre. “That’s my other beef with the ‘Karen’ move,” Budden remarked. “If you a ‘Karen,’ be a ‘Karen,’ but don’t code-switch.” He criticized Drake for his perceived inconsistency, citing his association with Canadian rapper Top5—known for making threats against Kendrick Lamar—as an example of playing tough while simultaneously seeking legal recourse. A Clash of Identities Budden’s frustration runs more profound than the lawsuit, pointing to what he sees as Drake’s identity crisis. According to Budden, Drake’s dual personas—one as a tough, connected rapper and the other as a litigious, image-conscious celebrity—create a disconnect. Budden elaborated, “You at the game running around with this n***a that has been threatening Kendrick, and you know what...