Clipse Dropped by Def Jam Over Kendrick Lamar Feature on New Album

Published on June 3, 2025 – By Hiphopla News

Hip-hop duo Clipse has revealed shocking details about their split with Def Jam, citing label pressure to remove a Kendrick Lamar verse from their upcoming album Let God Sort Em Out as the final straw.

In an exclusive interview with GQ, Pusha T explained how Def Jam executives asked him to either censor Kendrick’s explosive verse on the track “Chains & Whips” or remove the record entirely.

“They wanted me to ask Kendrick to censor his verse, which of course I was never doing,” Pusha said. “And then they wanted me to take the record off. And so, after a month of not doing it, [Def Jam’s] lawyer was like, ‘We’ll just drop the Clipse.’”

Kendrick + Pusha = Too Hot to Handle?

Sources suggest Def Jam and its parent label UMG were concerned about the optics of two of Drake’s biggest rivals collaborating during an ongoing lawsuit Drake has filed against the label group.

Rather than compromise their artistic integrity, Clipse parted ways with Def Jam and have since signed with Roc Nation, who will release their much-anticipated reunion album this summer.

Let God Sort Em Out — July 11 Release Confirmed

Clipse recently confirmed that Let God Sort Em Out drops July 11, with production handled by longtime friend and collaborator Pharrell Williams.

The announcement came via a cinematic trailer showing the duo recording in Paris at the Louis Vuitton headquarters. The trailer includes nostalgic footage of legends like Mike Tyson, DJ Clue, and Slick Rick, and even features a cameo voiceover from Marge Simpson.

Artistic Touches & Final Word

Renowned artist KAWS has returned to design the project’s artwork, just as he did with Clipse’s 2009 classic Til the Casket Drops. According to Pusha T, the album was fully completed by the end of 2024 and has been waiting for the perfect moment to be unleashed.

Clipse. Kendrick. Pharrell. Roc Nation.
This isn’t just a comeback — it’s a cultural event.

Stay locked on Hiphopla News for all updates on Let God Sort Em Out and the drama surrounding its release.