Producer Mike Zombie appeared to address speculation that he was acting as a mole for Kendrick Lamar in Drake’s camp.
In a video posted on TikTok, a fan offered up a detailed theory as to why Zombie – who was signed to OVO Sound and is known for producing Drake’s “Started From the Bottom” – might have been allegedly delivering People with information about 6.
The theory points to Zombie’s past ties to Drake, as well as the fact that he began working with several West Coast artists after “Started From the Bottom,” including The Game, Dom Kennedy, and Casey Veggies.
Fans then pointed to lyrics from Kendrick’s diss song “6:16 in LA,” in which he raps: “Before you find out you’re not alone, ask: / ‘What would Mike do?'” hinting K. Dot actually refers to Mike Zombie, not Michael Jackson, who had a song called “You Are Not Alone.”
The fan also highlighted that Zombie released a song called “616” in 2014, after causing a stir when Drake was accused of stealing streams from the producer.
After the theory gained traction online, Zombie himself appeared to write on X (formerly Twitter): “People are funny [crying face emoji]”.
The OVO Mole Kendrick rapped in LA’s 6:16 has been revealed.
Drake is cooked! pic.twitter.com/EGFmMCK6Ov
— UGO and the Striders (@UGOOOTWEETS) September 24, 2024
People are hilarious. 😂
— Mike Zombie (@BIGZO609) September 24, 2024
Elliott Wilson was previously accused of leaking information about Drake to Kendrick Lamar.
During an appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, the veteran journalist (who serves as editorial director of HipHopDX) revealed that Drizzy sent him a mouse emoji before the release of “Family Matters,” implying that Wilson was a snitch.
Wilson explained how the accusation came about: “I hit him and was like, ‘Yo, you dropped a cigarette tonight?'” I was just sniffing around. He said, “Yeah, something, haha.” I saw him letting the academicians know something was about to happen, “Put it on your live broadcast.” Let Kai [Cenat] Know something is coming, “Add it to your stream.” Let Mal know something is up.
“Drake has media relations and sometimes he gives us information to help get it out to the world.”
He continued: “So he made fun of [a response track]and then he suddenly sent me a mouse emoji! I’ve never had a grown man give me any kind of rude emoji. I’m a grown man and I’m angry.
Wilson said he sent a 50-cent meme to Drake, asking in disbelief: “What did he say ‘fuck me’ for?” but the rap star never responded.
The former XXL boss also denied being a whistleblower: “What would I complain about? Imagine if you said Kendrick knew everything [is] Because Elliot Wilson told him about it? Kendrick will laugh all day long. Kendrick and I have a great relationship, but we haven’t reached that level of personal rapport yet.
“And then, like, what am I going to tell him? [Drake’s] Will I lose my battle record with you? Yes, n-gga, you’re fighting! What did I tell you? What is my message to you?