Universal Music Group (UMG) nearly scrapped the release of a Pop Smoke track due to a controversial verse from Pusha T that executives believed aimed at Drake. The revelation came from Steven Victor, Pop Smoke’s label head and Pusha’s longtime manager, during a recent Billboard interview.
The situation stemmed from Pusha T’s appearance on Pop Smoke’s track “Paranoia,” slated initially for Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon deluxe edition. Victor explained that UMG raised red flags over lyrics they interpreted as subliminal shots at Drake, one of their marquee artists. “UMG thought he was dissing Drake on that song,” Victor told Billboard. “He wasn’t, but they thought he was.” Despite the verse having no direct connection to Pop Smoke, Victor was told in no uncertain terms: either Pusha T altered the lyrics or the label would halt the album’s release entirely.
Caught between his roles as Pop Smoke’s label exec and Pusha’s manager, Victor found himself in a tight bind. “Pop was signed to Victor Victor, my label, and I manage Pusha. So when they came to me like that, I was stunned,” he said. “I’m thinking, what happened to freedom of speech? He’s not dissing Drake. But they basically said, ‘Change the verse or the song doesn’t come out.’”
Ultimately, the label prevailed. The final version of “Paranoia” that appeared on the album featured Young Thug and Gunna instead of Pusha T. This wasn’t the first time the Clipse rapper’s sharp lyrics stirred label nerves—he’d also been pulled from Rick Ross’ “Maybach Music VI” over similarly perceived disses at Drake. Still, Pusha has remained unapologetically defiant. When Def Jam expressed concern about his Kendrick Lamar collaboration on his upcoming Clipse reunion project, Let God Sort ‘Em Out (set for July 11), Push refused to back down. The label ultimately lost rights to release the album.
While UMG may have succeeded in suppressing one verse, Pusha T’s pen continues to strike nerves—proof that his presence in the rap game is as provocative as ever.