Drake Sues Universal Music Group Over Defamatory Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
Quote from Alex bobby on January 16, 2025, 4:40 AM
Drake Sues Universal Music Group for Defamation Over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
Rap superstar Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging harassment and reckless behavior following the release of the Kendrick Lamar diss track Not Like Us. The song, which emerged last year as part of a fiery feud between the two artists, contains inflammatory accusations against Drake and his entourage, branding them as "certified pedophiles." The lawsuit claims the track's release has endangered Drake’s reputation and safety, accusing UMG of prioritizing profits over its artists' well-being.
Allegations of Defamation and Harassment
Drake's legal team has described the track as a calculated move by Universal to create a viral hit by promoting a song with "false factual allegations." In the lawsuit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Drake asserts that the label deliberately marketed Not Like Us with malicious intent, including its provocative artwork.
The cover art for the song features an aerial image of Drake’s Toronto mansion, marked with red indicators typically used to denote registered sex offenders' locations. According to the lawsuit, the imagery incited public outrage and allegedly led to a shooting at Drake's property. His lawyers compared the incident to "the 2024 equivalent of 'Pizzagate,'" referencing the conspiracy theory that triggered an armed attack on a Washington pizza restaurant in 2016.
The lawsuit claims Universal engaged in a "campaign of corporate greed" by exploiting the controversy for financial gain, ignoring the potential dangers posed to Drake.
Withdrawal of Previous Lawsuit
Drake’s lawsuit follows the withdrawal of a separate legal battle involving UMG and Spotify, in which he accused the companies of artificially inflating streams for Not Like Us. He argued that Universal had deliberately underpriced the licensing of Lamar’s track to Spotify and used bots to create an illusion of popularity, which he claimed negatively impacted his streaming numbers.
Universal and Spotify denied the accusations, with Spotify filing an opposition brief that led Drake to drop the case after private negotiations. Universal dismissed the claims as "offensive and untrue," maintaining that it supports all its artists equally.
The Feud That Ignited the Controversy
The animosity between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dates back to the early 2010s, but Not Like Us is seen as a major escalation in their rivalry. In the song, Lamar accuses Drake of exploiting collaborations with other artists to maintain his status and makes the inflammatory claim that Drake "likes 'em young."
Drake responded with his diss track, The Heart Part 6, denying the allegations and accusing Lamar of falling for planted misinformation. However, his response failed to garner the same attention as Lamar’s Not Like Us, which debuted at number one on the U.S. charts and amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify.
The controversy only intensified as Not Like Us received five Grammy nominations, including Record and Song of the Year, and Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.
Focus on Universal Music Group
Drake’s lawsuit emphasizes that his grievance is not with Kendrick Lamar but with UMG, which distributes music for both artists. According to court filings, the label knowingly disseminated false and harmful content, neglecting its responsibility to protect its artists.
“This lawsuit is not about the artist who created Not Like Us,” the documents state. “It is, instead, entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false but dangerous.”
Reckoning for the Music Industry
The legal battle highlights broader tensions in the music industry, where viral moments and controversies often drive commercial success. Drake’s lawyers argue that UMG's actions represent a troubling prioritization of profits over ethical standards, calling for greater accountability from record labels in the digital age.
Next Steps
Universal Music Group has yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit. The case raises significant questions about the balance between creative freedom and corporate responsibility, particularly when dealing with content that could incite harm.
While Drake’s legal team pursues justice, the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for how labels handle sensitive or controversial material in the future. As the feud between two of hip-hop’s biggest names continues to make headlines, the industry will be watching closely to see how the courts address these explosive claims.
For now, the lawsuit adds another chapter to the Drake-Lamar rivalry and casts a spotlight on the music industry’s handling of high-stakes controversies.
Drake Sues Universal Music Group for Defamation Over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
Rap superstar Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging harassment and reckless behavior following the release of the Kendrick Lamar diss track Not Like Us. The song, which emerged last year as part of a fiery feud between the two artists, contains inflammatory accusations against Drake and his entourage, branding them as "certified pedophiles." The lawsuit claims the track's release has endangered Drake’s reputation and safety, accusing UMG of prioritizing profits over its artists' well-being.
Allegations of Defamation and Harassment
Drake's legal team has described the track as a calculated move by Universal to create a viral hit by promoting a song with "false factual allegations." In the lawsuit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Drake asserts that the label deliberately marketed Not Like Us with malicious intent, including its provocative artwork.
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The cover art for the song features an aerial image of Drake’s Toronto mansion, marked with red indicators typically used to denote registered sex offenders' locations. According to the lawsuit, the imagery incited public outrage and allegedly led to a shooting at Drake's property. His lawyers compared the incident to "the 2024 equivalent of 'Pizzagate,'" referencing the conspiracy theory that triggered an armed attack on a Washington pizza restaurant in 2016.
The lawsuit claims Universal engaged in a "campaign of corporate greed" by exploiting the controversy for financial gain, ignoring the potential dangers posed to Drake.
Withdrawal of Previous Lawsuit
Drake’s lawsuit follows the withdrawal of a separate legal battle involving UMG and Spotify, in which he accused the companies of artificially inflating streams for Not Like Us. He argued that Universal had deliberately underpriced the licensing of Lamar’s track to Spotify and used bots to create an illusion of popularity, which he claimed negatively impacted his streaming numbers.
Universal and Spotify denied the accusations, with Spotify filing an opposition brief that led Drake to drop the case after private negotiations. Universal dismissed the claims as "offensive and untrue," maintaining that it supports all its artists equally.
The Feud That Ignited the Controversy
The animosity between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dates back to the early 2010s, but Not Like Us is seen as a major escalation in their rivalry. In the song, Lamar accuses Drake of exploiting collaborations with other artists to maintain his status and makes the inflammatory claim that Drake "likes 'em young."
Drake responded with his diss track, The Heart Part 6, denying the allegations and accusing Lamar of falling for planted misinformation. However, his response failed to garner the same attention as Lamar’s Not Like Us, which debuted at number one on the U.S. charts and amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify.
The controversy only intensified as Not Like Us received five Grammy nominations, including Record and Song of the Year, and Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.
Focus on Universal Music Group
Drake’s lawsuit emphasizes that his grievance is not with Kendrick Lamar but with UMG, which distributes music for both artists. According to court filings, the label knowingly disseminated false and harmful content, neglecting its responsibility to protect its artists.
“This lawsuit is not about the artist who created Not Like Us,” the documents state. “It is, instead, entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false but dangerous.”
Reckoning for the Music Industry
The legal battle highlights broader tensions in the music industry, where viral moments and controversies often drive commercial success. Drake’s lawyers argue that UMG's actions represent a troubling prioritization of profits over ethical standards, calling for greater accountability from record labels in the digital age.
Next Steps
Universal Music Group has yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit. The case raises significant questions about the balance between creative freedom and corporate responsibility, particularly when dealing with content that could incite harm.
While Drake’s legal team pursues justice, the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for how labels handle sensitive or controversial material in the future. As the feud between two of hip-hop’s biggest names continues to make headlines, the industry will be watching closely to see how the courts address these explosive claims.
For now, the lawsuit adds another chapter to the Drake-Lamar rivalry and casts a spotlight on the music industry’s handling of high-stakes controversies.
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