Who is OVO 40? Drake's associate allegedly sent a threatening DM to DJ Cipha Sounds for playing Kendrick's 'Not Like Us

OVO Sound’s co-founder Noah Shebib, better known as OVO 40, allegedly sent DJ Cipha Sounds an aggressive DM for playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track ‘Not Like Us’ in Toronto.

Cipha, also known as a comedian aside from being a DJ and a VJ, recently shared the story on his Juan Epstein podcast. He claimed 40 came across clips of him performing his stand-up skit with Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” playing in the background, and sent him a message afterward. The text allegedly read:

“How about I go to your city and play a song where someone calls you a ped*phile?...I knew you never liked us. You act nice, but you're really a b*tch. It's on sight...when I see you, I'm gonna smack you in the mouth.”

40's supposed text to Cipha referred to the part in Kendrick's "Not Like Us", where the Compton rapper said:

"Certified Lover Boy?/ Certified p*dophiles"

Cipha Sounds said he was shocked by 40’s text and that the record executive’s statement about the DJ not admiring the label and Drake’s associates bothered him the most. He claimed to have asked OVO 40:

“How, why?...I'm only, only supportive and play everything you put out. What are you talking about!”

Referring to Drake and Lamar's rap beef, Cipha said he told 40:

"I've been nothing but respectful about this beef, talking only about beats and rhymes. Nothing personal, nothing derogatory...I knew this was gonna get ugly. And I keep it beats and rhymes, how I like the beats, and how I like the rhymes, Hip-Hop."

Cipha continued:

"Calling each other p*dophiles, and molested...it's disgusting, and I personally hate it, but if it's out in the world and I can get a couple of views off of it, I'm gonna do it because that's what everyone's doing."

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OVO Sound's co-founders OVO 40 and Drake share a close friendship

Drake and Noah Shebib aka 40's close association is popularized due to co-founding their record label OVO Sound along with Oliver El-Khatib.

October's Very Own was founded in 2012 and has several artists including, Majid Jordan, Naomi Sharon, PartyNextDoor and Roy Woods signed under it apart from Drake.

OVO 40 has been involved in Drake's music career since 2008 as a record producer and songwriter. He played a key role in producing some of the Canadian rapper's biggest hits. The two first met in the 2000s, and have since been close friends.

He's also a former child actor having acted in films and television shows. According to his IMDB credits, 40 played Andrew Winfield on the 1994 TV show The Mighty Jungle, which also starred his sister Suzanna Shebib.

In 1996, 40 played Todd in the "Go Eat Worm" episode on the show Goosebumps. His notable acting gig includes Buck Mayhew in the Gemini Award-winning series Wind At My Back.

Aside from films and TV shows, OVO 40 also had a cameo appearance in Drake's 2013 music video for 'Started from the Bottom'.

The record producer had previously expressed his love for Toronto and how he hoped to exert his impact on the city. In the 2022 documentary, Toronto Rising, 40 said:

“As long as I had like one finger that still worked, no matter what the world took from me.”

He added:

“I could play the keyboard and I could make music. All the things in my life just kind of pointed me in one direction. I’m here to play my part and to leave my impact.”

40 also opened up about his health battles with multiple sclerosis from a young age that caused him physical and emotional distress. During a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, OVO 40 recounted an incident where he was taken away in a wheelchair amid Drake's show.

Later, in 2023, Drake shared a health update about 40 and asked his fans to send the producer their prayers. During one of his performances in Los Angeles, the singer addressed the crowd and said:

"My brother hasn’t been feeling well. I want to send him some love from this whole building because I believe that energy is exchanged."

OVO 40's alleged reaction to Cipha Sounds performing with Kendrick's 'Not Like Us' can be due to his bond with Drake. In the diss track, Kendrick took a jab at their label, OVO Sound as well and accused Drake's team of involving in physical relationships with minors.