After hinting on Scorpion track “Is There More” that his time with label Young Money/Cash Money is about to end — “As soon as this album drop I’m out of the deal” — Drake is reportedly on the market for a new deal, and could have a new album ready to go by the time any new deal is announced, according to Variety.
An unnamed source told Variety the Canadian will have a drop prepared for his next label, although a source from Universal Music Group — whose Republic Records and its precursor Universal Motown have distributed Drake’s releases to date — disputes the claim, saying the artist isn’t leaving the label family any time soon.
If Drake’s Young Money/Cash Money obligations are complete, and he is indeed a free agent, the rapper will be able to command big numbers on a new contract. Scorpion went certified platinum on its first day of release last month, overtaking Post Malone’s record for most single-day album streams, reaching more than 170 million streams in 24 hours. With Apple Music and Spotify partnerships under his belt, Drake truly is cash money.
Music attorney Dina LaPolt told Variety, “Drake has the bargaining power to negotiate a net profit split with the best deal terms and a humongous advance up front.” Whether Drake opts for another major label or goes in another direction remains to be seen, but either way, Variety’s report suggests the rapper could earn up to $20 million per album.
As ever, we’ll keep you updated if any further news arises.
In other music news, GAIKA leads a rebellion in the video for “Immigrant Sons (Pesos & Gas).”
