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Gamma Records CEO Larry Jackson sat down for an illuminating conversation with podcast host Joe Budden, where he made some bold claims about Drake’s massive streaming dominance.
Early in the intimate interview, Budden asked Jackson if Drake’s business acumen ruffles any feathers among his peers. Choosing his words carefully, Jackson declined to comment directly, stating he must “display good cultural etiquette” in his response.
This led Budden to theorize that Drake has some undisclosed involvement with Gamma Records, explaining the label’s promotion of artists like Rick Ross and Sexyy Red. “It seems Drake has a two-pronged deal allowing him ownership stakes that aren’t otherwise available,” Budden mused.
Growing candid, Jackson confirmed he was ready for “the truth” about his relationship with Drake. Recalling Gamma’s early struggles securing financing, Jackson said investor interest in catalogues was booming when capital was cheap in 2019-2020. Despite low borrowing rates, few saw vision in “the frontline business” like he and partner Ike Youssef did.
And that’s when Jackson brought the conversation back to Drake with unexpected praise. “If you look at his music, he’s bigger than the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s combined,” he said. “I don’t mean like one artist from that era, I mean all of those eras combined,” he stated.
Jackson credits his Apple days working closely with Drake for fueling Gamma’s launch. As global creative director, he was key in debuting OVO Sound Radio and launching Views as an Apple Music exclusive. By Jackson’s assessment, no price can be placed on what Drake’s successes taught him about realizing bold visions in the industry.
