In a dramatic twist in the ongoing feud between hip-hop titans, Canadian rapper Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). The legal action stems from Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us," which Drake alleges contains false pedophilia accusations against him. According to the lawsuit, UMG promoted and published the track despite knowing its defamatory content, suggesting vigilante justice against Drake. The lawsuit seeks both a trial and an undisclosed amount for damages.
Drake, a five-time Grammy winner and 38-year-old artist, has been embroiled in a heated rivalry with Kendrick Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner. The two artists, once occasional collaborators over a decade ago, have seen their relationship sour since Lamar began taking public jabs at Drake in 2013. Last year, tensions escalated sharply, leading to the current legal proceedings.
The diss track "Not Like Us" has garnered significant attention, earning five Grammy nominations, including record and song of the year. UMG has heavily invested in promoting the track, arranging for its performance at the upcoming Super Bowl. Drake's lawsuit claims that UMG's promotion of the track has resulted in online harassment and a tarnished reputation for Drake, impacting his brand value and contract negotiations with UMG.
"Beginning on May 4, 2024 and every day since, UMG has used its massive resources as the world’s most powerful music company to elevate a dangerous and inflammatory message that was designed to assassinate Drake’s character, and led to actual violence at Drake’s doorstep," – The law firm (Willkie Farr & Gallagher)
"This lawsuit reveals the human and business consequences to UMG’s elevation of profits over the safety and well-being of its artists, and shines a light on the manipulation of artists and the public for corporate gain," – The law firm (Willkie Farr & Gallagher)
Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Kendrick Lamar is not named in the lawsuit. Instead, Drake's legal team emphasizes that their focus is on UMG's role.
"The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns," – Universal Music Group (UMG)
The lawsuit underscores the intense stakes at play within the music industry, where corporate interests can sometimes clash with artists' reputations. Drake's legal representatives argue that UMG prioritized profit over ethical considerations.
"UMG did so because it understood that the Recording’s inflammatory and shocking allegations were a gold mine," – Drake's lawyers (Willkie Farr & Gallagher)
"The lawsuit is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us,’” – Drake's lawyers (Willkie Farr & Gallagher)
