Drake reportedly unfollowed Timbaland on Instagram after the iconic producer faced backlash for a controversial post, which many interpreted as antisemitic.
The incident stems from Timbo’s Instagram comment regarding Drake’s rumored $2 billion legal battle with Universal Music Group. The producer, who previously collaborated with Drake on “Say Something,” shared an image of a white man with a large beard and exaggerated features, sparking criticism for perpetuating antisemitic stereotypes.
Fans quickly condemned the hitmaker, accusing him of targeting Drake, who was raised Jewish. A check of Drake’s Instagram followers, which exceeds 3,000, shows that he no longer follows Timbaland. Neither has publicly addressed the controversy.
This apparent fallout is unexpected, given their past rapport. Timbaland previously credited Drake and Jay-Z with helping him overcome a dark period in his life.
“Jay-Z is a prophet. God sent him. I ain’t never seen nobody like him. He raised me in the music business. He was so prolific, so wise beyond his age, that I was just amazed at just watching him. That’s why I had a different bond with Jay when it comes to my music. We was rewriting the Bible, in a way,” he explained on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
Timbo added, “Even Drake told me. That’s why I’m like, these guys are special to the world. Now, once they give you the information, it’s up to you to use it. I didn’t come out until the darkness, man, and that’s why I say it’s all love with these guys. They helped me during my darkest moment.”
Meanwhile, Drake remains embroiled in his legal battle with UMG. The Toronto rapper recently filed two pre-action petitions against the music giant. The first accuses UMG of using bots and payola to boost the success of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” allegedly to Drake’s detriment. The second filing targets both UMG and iHeartMedia, claiming defamation and alleging the companies could have prevented the song’s release, which includes lyrics that falsely accuse Drake of being a pedophile.
UMG has denied all allegations, while Lamar has yet to comment on his role in the controversy.
