Iggy Azalea isn’t holding back. According to nme.com, the Australian rapper has publicly slammed Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of owing her millions in unpaid royalties. Taking to X, Azalea unleashed a fiery rant, calling UMG “criminals” and vowing to take legal action.
“Universal music mark my words you ugly bitch – You will pay me what’s owed,” she wrote, adding that the label had only offered her a meagre $18,000 settlement when she claims she is owed an amount “in the 8-figure range.”
Azalea, who signed with UMG’s Island Def Jam in 2013 before parting ways in 2018, alleges the company failed to pay her royalties outside the US. She insists this is a common practice at UMG, claiming the label exploits artistes who lack the financial means to fight back.
“I’d like to publicly say that I think Universal Music are criminals who actively take advantage of ALL of their artists in perpetuity for their own gain,” she declared. “They are the scummiest company and they do this to SO MANY artists.”
Azalea says her battle with UMG has been ongoing for over two years but is now becoming public as she refuses to settle for anything less than what she believes she is owed. The label has yet to respond to the allegations.
The controversy comes amid broader industry disputes, including Drake’s recent legal clash with iHeartMedia and UMG over alleged payola tactics for Kendrick Lamar’s track, “Not Like Us.” While that case has reportedly been settled, Azalea’s fight with UMG is just beginning.
- Featured image: Iggy Azalea/Ethan Miller/Getty Images
