Melyssa Ford has publicly criticized Drake for using her image on a hoodie from his latest merch collection, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, without her consent. During a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, Ford expressed her frustration over the unauthorized use of her photo and made it clear she expects compensation.
Ford’s Frustration Over Unauthorized Merch Drop
The former video vixen and media personality revealed that the hoodie’s release caught her off guard. The design reportedly features an image of her along with a link directing users to Joe Budden’s Patreon page. According to Ford, she was not informed about Drake’s plans and only discovered the design after its release.
“What the fuck is going on?” Ford exclaimed, visibly upset. “Where’s my check? Where’s my fucking check? That’s what I want to know.”
When Budden questioned whether she had been compensated for the image, Ford replied, “No! I woke up to it. And I’m just like, ‘I have bigger fish to fry than this shit right now.’”
Ford hinted that she might own the rights to the photo, speculating it could be from her first calendar shoot. She also confirmed reaching out to Drake via direct message to address the issue.
Joe Budden’s Reaction
While Ford was clearly frustrated, Budden responded with humor, expressing hope that the hoodie sells out and brings more attention to his platform.
“I hope that motherfucker sells, boy,” Budden joked. “Type in the website. Type in the Melyssa Ford Drake website.”
Drake’s Lyrical Reference to Ford and Budden
This merch drop comes after Drake referenced both Ford and Budden in the song GIMME A HUG, a track from his collaborative project with PARTYNEXTDOOR. In the song, Drake raps:
“Melyssa Ford, you a legend from the 6, hate to see you with a dick-sucker.”
The line acknowledges Ford’s influence in hip-hop culture while seemingly throwing a jab at an unnamed individual linked to her.
The Ongoing Drake-Budden Tension
Drake and Joe Budden have had a history of public disputes and lyrical shots, making this latest incident feel like another chapter in their ongoing rivalry. While Budden appears to be taking the situation lightly, Ford’s response suggests she is prepared to pursue compensation for the unauthorized use of her image.
Whether Ford decides to take legal action remains uncertain, but her strong reaction indicates that this situation is far from over.
