DJ Akademiks claims Drake is set for largest advance in music history

DJ Akademiks stated on the NFR podcast that Drake is positioned to sign the largest record deal in history. The host described the potential contract as the biggest in history specifically regarding the advance payment the label would be required to make to the artist. Akademiks, a longtime supporter of the Canadian rapper, made these comments while discussing Drake’s upcoming career move.

Drake recently concluded a $400 million contract with Universal Music Group. That agreement is now complete, leaving the artist as a free agent in the music industry. He is currently seeking a new label and a new financial arrangement for his future work. The previous deal covered his output prior to his most recent batch of releases.

In May of this year, Drake released three separate albums titled Iceman, Habibti, and Maid Of Honour. All three projects debuted in the top three spots on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Despite these high chart positions, the source noted that none of the tracks from those albums became major commercial hits. This performance data is part of the context surrounding his current status in the market.

Akademiks’s comments come after a period of intense public scrutiny for Drake. In the spring of 2024, Kendrick Lamar released the track Not Like Us, which the source described as dismantling Drake’s reputation. The source compared Drake’s current standing to that of Ja Rule in 2003, suggesting a decline in perceived star power. Akademiks maintains that Drake remains the greatest of all time and is preparing for a historic payday.

The host emphasized that the new deal would set a new benchmark for advance payments in the music business. He did not provide a specific dollar amount for the new contract but characterized it as eclipsing the previous $400 million figure. The podcast segment focused on the financial aspects of the negotiation rather than the creative terms of the deal.

The source noted that it remains to be seen if a label is willing to pay more than Universal did for the rapper in his current standing. Music executives are currently evaluating whether Drake’s recent commercial performance justifies a historic financial commitment. Akademiks is actively promoting the narrative that Drake’s star power is sufficient to secure this new agreement.