5 Reasons DJ Khaled's "They Don't Love You No More" Is A Forgotten Posse Cut Masterpiece (The JAY-Z Diss & Cover Art Scandal)

Released in 2014, "They Don't Love You No More" remains one of the most intriguing and controversial singles in DJ Khaled’s extensive catalog, a track that perfectly encapsulates the high-stakes drama and star power of mid-2010s hip-hop. The single, which served as the lead track for Khaled’s eighth studio album, I Changed a Lot (2015), brought together a formidable lineup of rap heavyweights—JAY-Z, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, and French Montana—and instantly became a flashpoint for industry beefs and legal drama.

The song is not just a posse cut; it's a time capsule of an era where loyalty was paramount and success bred instant enemies, perfectly summarized by its defiant title. From a thinly veiled lyrical shot by JAY-Z at a rap superstar to a shocking cease and desist letter over the single's artwork, this track generated buzz that went far beyond its chart performance, securing its place as a deep-cut classic that deserves a fresh look in December 2025.

The Star-Studded Lineup: Key Entities & Personnel

The strength of "They Don't Love You No More" lies entirely in the sheer star power and topical relevance of its collaborators. This track is a masterclass in assembling a roster that dominates the culture, and it features some of the most influential figures in modern hip-hop history. The following is a list of the key entities involved in the song's creation and controversy:

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• DJ Khaled (Khaled Mohamed Khaled): Record Producer, Media Personality, and founder of We the Best Music Group. The conductor of the posse cut.
• JAY-Z (Shawn Carter): Rapper, Mogul, and Co-Founder of Roc-A-Fella Records. Delivered the track’s most discussed and controversial verse.
• Meek Mill (Robert Williams): Rapper and Dream Chasers Records founder. A core member of the Maybach Music Group (MMG) at the time.
• Rick Ross (William Roberts II): Rapper and Founder of Maybach Music Group (MMG). A frequent collaborator and cornerstone of Khaled's posse cuts.
• French Montana (Karim Kharbouch): Rapper and Founder of Coke Boys Records. Provided the track's memorable, melodic hook.
• Mike Zombie (Mike Johnson) a.k.a. "Zombie on the Track": Grammy-nominated producer responsible for the song's beat.
• Kolley (Kolley Jonez): Mississippi rapper who issued a cease and desist letter over the single's cover art, alleging intellectual property theft.
• Album: I Changed a Lot (2015).
• Record Label: We the Best Music Group / Sony Music Entertainment.
• LSI Keywords/Concepts: Posse Cut, Hip-Hop Beef, OVO, MMG, Cover Art Controversy, Drake Diss.

1. The Infamous JAY-Z "Lacrosse Team" Diss (The Drake Subliminal)

The most immediate and enduring legacy of "They Don't Love You No More" stems from the opening verse delivered by JAY-Z. Known for his calculated and often subtle lyrical jabs, Hov used this track to fire a direct, if veiled, shot at a fellow rap giant: Drake.

The line in question, which instantly became a trending topic across social media and music blogs, was: "Haters wanna ball, let me tighten up my drawstring / Wrong sport, boy, you know you soft as a lacrosse team."

Why It Matters: This lyric was widely interpreted as a direct response to Drake’s earlier comments about JAY-Z referencing "art Basel" in his lyrics, suggesting he was out of touch with street culture. The "lacrosse team" line was a scathing, high-profile diss that questioned Drake's authenticity and toughness, adding a deep layer of drama to the song and solidifying its place in the history of hip-hop rivalries, despite the two artists’ relationship often being described as a "cold war" rather than a full-blown beef.

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The entire intro, delivered in a hard-hitting voiceover, sets the tone: "People look at you strange, sayin' you changed / Like you worked that hard to stay the same / Like you don't wanna evolve." This monologue perfectly frames the song's theme of success leading to alienation and jealousy, a core concept in DJ Khaled's "They" philosophy.

2. The Mike Zombie Beat: A Hidden OVO Connection

While the star power is on the mic, the track’s infectious, hard-hitting sound is courtesy of a lesser-known but highly influential producer: Mike Zombie. Known professionally as "Zombie on the Track," his involvement adds another complex layer to the JAY-Z/Drake dynamic.

Mike Zombie is a Grammy-nominated producer and a key affiliate of Drake’s OVO Sound camp, most famous for producing Drake’s double-platinum hit, "Started From The Bottom."

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The irony is palpable: JAY-Z delivered a subliminal diss to Drake over a beat crafted by one of Drake’s own producers. This subtle, almost meta-level of industry entanglement is what makes the track a fascinating study of rap politics. Zombie’s signature sound—a blend of heavy bass and atmospheric synths—provided the perfect, aggressive canvas for the all-star lineup to trade verses about jealousy and success.

3. The Cease and Desist: A Cover Art Scandal That Rocked the Release

Adding to the song’s tumultuous release was a highly publicized legal issue concerning the single's cover art. Shortly after the track dropped, Mississippi rapper Kolley and his representatives issued a cease and desist letter to DJ Khaled's record label.

The Allegation: Kolley claimed that Khaled’s artwork for "They Don't Love You No More" was a direct rip-off of the cover art for his own debut mixtape, Real Nigga Shit (RNS), which had been released a month earlier.

Both covers featured a similar, distinctive visual: a close-up, black-and-white photograph of the artist staring intensely at the camera, with a specific, grainy filter and composition. The legal threat warned Khaled to stop using the artwork immediately or face a lawsuit.

While the final, public resolution of the cease and desist was not widely reported beyond the initial threat, the controversy itself dominated music news cycles, highlighting the often-overlooked intellectual property battles in the digital age. This dramatic start ensured the single was the subject of conversation, controversy, and curiosity long before the full album, I Changed a Lot, was released in 2015.

4. The Posse Cut Legacy: Where Does It Rank in 2025?

DJ Khaled is arguably the greatest curator of the modern rap posse cut, with classics like "We Takin' Over" and "I'm on One" defining the genre. In 2025, "They Don't Love You No More" holds a unique position in this legacy: it’s a track that is critically important for its historical context but often overshadowed by his later, more commercially successful anthems.

The song is a perfect distillation of Khaled’s formula: a dramatic, motivational theme, a massive-sounding beat from a top producer, and verses from the biggest names in the game. It is a testament to the power of the "We The Best" brand, which can unite artists from rival camps (like JAY-Z and a producer from Drake's circle) for a single, defining moment. The track’s enduring relevance is less about chart position and more about the cultural moment it captured—a snapshot of the rap hierarchy in the mid-2010s.

5. The Unseen Remix and Star Power Depth

A final, often-forgotten piece of the song's history is the official remix. The track was powerful enough to serve as the comeback vehicle for one of rap’s most respected female MCs. DJ Khaled enlisted Remy Ma for a remix of "They Don't Love You No More," marking her first official recording since her release from prison.

This move demonstrated the cultural weight of the single; it wasn't just a hit, it was a platform. Remy Ma's verse on the remix added a fresh, powerful female perspective to the song's central theme of overcoming haters and thriving in the face of adversity. This deep cut detail is a crucial reminder of the song's immediate impact on the hip-hop landscape, serving as a powerful reentry point for a major artist and further cementing the track’s reputation as a cultural lightning rod.