The Pet Shop Boys, iconic figures in British synth-pop, have voiced their discontent with Drake for what they allege to be uncredited use of their lyrics in his latest release, “For All the Dogs.”
In a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), the duo, consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, pointed out that Drake incorporated the memorable chorus line from their 1984 hit, “West End Girls,” without proper acknowledgment. The line in question, “It’s 6, our town a dead-end world, East End boys and West End girls, yeah,” features prominently in Drake’s track.
“West End Girls” marked the Pet Shop Boys’ debut single, instantly capturing hearts on both sides of the Atlantic when it was included in their 1986 album “Please.”
Expressing their surprise, the duo called attention to Drake’s use of their work in “All the Parties” without any credit or permission sought. They also included the hashtag “#kobaltmusic,” the company with which they inked a deal in 2013.
As of now, the credits on the track only acknowledge producers BNYX®, Boi-1da, Fierce, Coleman, Maneesh, Harley Arsenault, and JDolla, with Drake being the sole listed writer.
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At the time of writing, representatives for both Drake and the Pet Shop Boys have not responded to Variety’s requests for comment.
This incident comes on the heels of another claim against Drake earlier in the day, with Baltimore artist Rye Rye asserting that the rapper did not seek her permission for the use of her vocals in “Calling For You,” a track featuring 21 Savage. She also contends that she was not credited for a sample allegedly utilized on Drake’s 2022 record, “Honestly, Nevermind.
Rye Rye emphasized that while producers may handle the samples, it remains the artist’s responsibility to clear them for use.
Drake’s “For All the Dogs” follows his chart-topping collaboration with 21 Savage, “Her Loss,” and boasts an impressive lineup of artists including Bad Bunny, SZA, J. Cole, Lil Yachty, and others across its 23-song tracklist.
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