DJ Akademiks addressed rumours suggesting Drake’s upcoming album, “Iceman,” might be his last under Universal Music.
He clarified that the album is likely to fulfill Drake’s existing contract rather than end their relationship, describing the situation as highly flexible. Akademiks emphasized that major labels rarely let top artists like Drake leave, noting that Universal could leverage Drake’s extensive catalog to justify a lucrative new deal. He predicted another collaborative project could extend the partnership, with Universal overpaying to keep Drake onboard, given the streaming benefits of new releases boosting back catalogs. Akademiks also doubted Drake would become fully independent, citing the industry’s gatekeeping by major labels and their control over radio and playlists.