SUPERSTAR STAKES (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Turns out rumors of the enormous price of poker for a Superstar Pride deal were true, though many interested players balked at the initial $5m ask. It's said that two majors are close to sealing the deal with Superstar for a big number.

As for breakout cut "Painting Pictures," word is that Atlantic has agreed to clear the Faith Evans sample in principle. Does that give it the inside track? The song has been in Apple Music's Top 10 throughout the process.

Expect a Superstar deal to close in the next 10 days.

Viral street rapper Superstar Pride is the subject of the latest derby among major players as his cut "Painting Pictures" explodes at DSPs in the U.S., cracking the Top 15 at Spotify U.S. and the Top 10 at Apple Music. Meanwhile, Pride's visuals continue to boost his momentum on TikTok and YouTube.

Insiders say the asking price for a Superstar deal is through the roof—the alleged starting point from the artist's camp is mid-seven figures. We're told a player seeking to "disrupt" the Big 3 is among those in the running. The Southern hip-hop prospect is repped by attorney Hector Baldonado (whose client list includes Lil Durk, Juice WRLD, Moneybagg Yo, Trippie Redd, Rod Wave and YoungBoy Never Broke Again) and managed by Amina Diop.

On top of the high asking price, there's said to be another hurdle in need of clearing: "Painting Pictures" contains an uncleared sample that interpolates Faith Evans' "Soon As I Get Home," originally released through Diddy's Bad Boy.

Who's willing to ante up and at what price? Stay tuned. In the interim, check out the widely viewed "Painting Pictures" clip below.