Drake Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Global Music Group over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
In a dramatic escalation of an already heated feud, Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging that the music giant knowingly promoted a “false and malicious narrative” about him through Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit, filed on january 15, 2025, claims that UMG prioritized “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists,” putting Drake’s life in danger.The legal battle stems from Lamar’s chart-topping track, which accused drake of being a “certified pedophile.” Drake’s attorneys argue that UMG not only allowed these “inflammatory and shocking allegations” to circulate but actively amplified them, despite knowing they were false. “UMG intentionally sought to turn Drake into a pariah, a target for harassment, or worse,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit highlights the real-world consequences of UMG’s actions. Drake claims that the release of “Not Like Us” led to a drive-by shooting at his Toronto-area home just days after the song dropped. His legal team likened the situation to the infamous “Pizzagate” conspiracy, which also involved false pedophilia allegations and resulted in real-life violence.
“UMG’s greed yielded real-world consequences,” the complaint reads. “With the palpable physical threat to Drake’s safety and the bombardment of online harassment, Drake fears for the safety and security of himself, his family, and his friends.”
Notably, the lawsuit does not target Lamar himself. Drake’s attorneys emphasize that this is not about a “rap beef gone legal” but rather about UMG’s alleged misconduct. “UMG may spin this complaint as a war of words between artists,but this lawsuit is not about that,” they assert.
This legal action marks the latest chapter in a high-profile feud that began last year when Drake and Lamar exchanged a series of scathing diss tracks. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” became a cultural phenomenon, topping charts and sparking widespread debate. However, Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s promotion of the track crossed ethical and legal boundaries.
A spokesperson for UMG has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Key Points of the Lawsuit
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Defendant | Universal Music Group (UMG) |
| Allegations | Defamation,endangerment,and prioritizing profit over artist safety |
| Key Claim | UMG promoted false pedophilia allegations in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”|
| Real-World Impact | Drive-by shooting at Drake’s home,online harassment |
| Legal Focus | UMG’s actions,not Lamar’s lyrics |
Drake’s legal team has also referenced his earlier petitions,which accused UMG and spotify of using bots and payola to artificially boost the popularity of “Not Like Us.” While those petitions were withdrawn, this new lawsuit represents a full-fledged legal challenge.
As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about the responsibilities of record labels in managing artist conflicts and the potential consequences of amplifying inflammatory content. For now,Drake remains focused on protecting his reputation and safety,while the music industry watches closely to see how this unprecedented legal battle will play out.
What do you think about Drake’s decision to take legal action? Share your thoughts below.
drake Sues Universal Music Group Over Alleged Defamation and Contract Leveraging
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Drake and his longtime label, Universal Music Group (UMG), the Canadian rap superstar has filed a lawsuit accusing the label of promoting kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” despite its allegedly defamatory lyrics. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, claims UMG saw the track as a “gold mine” to devalue Drake’s brand and gain leverage in future contract negotiations.
Drake’s legal team alleges that UMG “unleashed every weapon in its arsenal” to drive the popularity of Lamar’s track, even though it knew the lyrics were “not only false, but risky.” The lawsuit reveals that Drake’s contract with UMG was nearing its end, and the label anticipated that renewing it woudl be costly. By allegedly devaluing Drake’s music and brand, UMG aimed to force him into signing a new deal on terms more favorable to the label.
“UMG’s contract with Drake was nearing fulfillment … UMG anticipated that extending Drake’s contract would be costly,” his lawyers wrote. “By devaluing Drake’s music and brand, UMG would gain leverage to force Drake to sign a new deal on terms more favorable to UMG.”
Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The lawsuit sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts Drake made to resolve the issue before resorting to litigation.according to the filing, Drake’s attorneys sent multiple legal letters to UMG last summer and fall, warning the label that the lyrics in Lamar’s track were false and defamatory. Drake also reportedly confronted the label privately about its role in promoting the song and warned of potential risks to his safety. However, UMG allegedly “refused to do anything to help.”
“After weeks of delay, UMG declined to do anything to assist Drake, including even going so far as refusing to agree to mediate with Drake,” his attorneys wrote.“UMG instead insisted that it bore no responsibility for the harm Drake.”
Instead of addressing Drake’s concerns, UMG reportedly advised him of the reputational risks of filing a lawsuit during a highly publicized rap feud. This advice,however,did little to deter the artist,who has now taken legal action against the label he has been signed to for his entire career.
A Deepening Rift
the lawsuit marks a significant escalation in Drake’s ongoing feud with UMG, a label he has been associated with since signing to Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint, which was distributed by Republic Records. Drake later signed directly to Republic, a subsidiary of UMG.
The legal action also comes amid criticism from some corners of the hip-hop community, where Drake has been ridiculed for pursuing legal remedies over a rap beef. Though, his legal team argues that the situation goes beyond typical industry rivalries.
“With his own record label having waged a campaign against him, and refusing to address this as a business matter, Drake has been left with no choice but to seek legal redress against UMG,” his lawyers wrote.
Key Points at a Glance
| Key Details | summary |
|————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Lawsuit Filed | Drake sues UMG over alleged defamation and contract leveraging. |
| Allegations | UMG promoted Kendrick Lamar’s “Not like us” despite defamatory lyrics. |
| contract Context | Drake’s contract with UMG was nearing its end, making renewal costly. |
| Legal Efforts | Drake sent multiple legal letters and privately confronted UMG. |
| UMG’s Response | UMG allegedly refused to mediate or assist Drake. |
| Reputational Risks | UMG advised Drake against filing a lawsuit during the rap beef. |
What’s Next?
The lawsuit represents a bold move by Drake, who has long been one of UMG’s most lucrative artists. It also highlights the complexities of artist-label relationships in an industry where contracts and creative control frequently enough clash. as the case unfolds,it could set a precedent for how labels handle disputes involving their artists,notably in the high-stakes world of hip-hop.
For now, Drake’s legal battle with UMG is a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in the music industry. whether this rift will lead to a permanent split between the artist and his label remains to be seen.
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for more on Drake’s legal actions and the ongoing feud, check out Billboard’s coverage.
Drake Accuses UMG of Manipulating Streaming and Promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “not Like Us”
In a bombshell lawsuit,Drake has accused universal Music Group (UMG) of orchestrating a campaign to artificially boost Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Not Like Us” while causing significant harm to his own reputation. The legal complaint, filed by drake’s attorneys, alleges that UMG engaged in covert tactics, including using bots to inflate streams, making undisclosed payments, and leveraging its influence to secure Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl LIX Halftime show performance.
The lawsuit, which does not target Lamar directly, claims that UMG knowingly promoted false and defamatory allegations against Drake, leading to “unrelenting vitriol” and even acts of violence against the artist.
UMG’s Alleged Manipulation of Streaming Platforms
Drake’s legal team has accused UMG of conspiring with others to artificially inflate the popularity of “Not Like us.” According to the complaint, the label allegedly used bots to generate fake streams and made undisclosed payments to ensure the song’s success. Additionally, UMG is said to have charged spotify a lower licensing rate in exchange for pushing the track to its users.
One of the most striking allegations is that UMG took the “unprecedented” step of “whitelisting” the song on YouTube. This allowed users to share the track without triggering automatic copyright filters, further amplifying its reach.
New Allegations: UMG’s Role in Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance
The lawsuit also introduces new claims about UMG’s efforts to favor Lamar, including his upcoming performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2025. Drake’s attorneys argue that UMG “conferred financial benefits and leveraged existing business relationships to secure the headliner-spot” for Lamar.
These efforts, according to the complaint, have had a significant impact. “Not Like Us” spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in May and remains at the 23rd spot this week, with “billions of plays” and “ubiquitous” popularity.
Drake’s Reputation Takes a Hit
Drake claims that the massive success of “Not Like Us” has come at a steep cost to his own reputation. The lawsuit alleges that the false allegations promoted by UMG have resulted in “unrelenting vitriol” and even acts of violence against one of UMG’s longtime artists.
“Even though UMG enriched itself and its shareholders by exploiting Drake’s music for years, and knew that the salacious allegations against Drake were false, UMG chose corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists,” his lawyers stated.
Key Points of the Lawsuit
| Allegation | Details |
|—————————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Artificial Streaming inflation | Use of bots and undisclosed payments to boost “Not Like Us” streams. |
| YouTube Whitelisting | Allowing unrestricted sharing of the song without copyright filters. |
| Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show | UMG allegedly secured Lamar’s headliner spot through financial incentives. |
| Reputation Damage | Drake claims “unrelenting vitriol” and violence due to false allegations. |
What’s Next?
This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Drake and UMG. While the case does not directly target Kendrick Lamar, it raises serious questions about the role of record labels in shaping public perception and manipulating streaming platforms.
As the legal battle unfolds, industry experts are closely watching how UMG responds to these allegations. For now, Drake’s legal team remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, emphasizing that the case is about corporate misconduct rather than a feud between artists.
This is a breaking news story and will continue to be updated with additional details as they become available.
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The lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) reveals a complex and contentious relationship between the artist and his long-time label. The allegations center around UMG’s alleged manipulation of streaming platforms to boost Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us” while concurrently devaluing Drake’s music and brand. This strategy, according to Drake’s legal team, was aimed at forcing him into signing a new contract on terms more favorable to UMG.
Key Allegations:
- Streaming Manipulation: Drake’s lawsuit claims that UMG used bots to inflate streams of “Not Like Us,” made undisclosed payments to ensure the song’s success, and charged spotify a lower licensing rate to push the track to users. Additionally, UMG allegedly “whitelisted” the song on YouTube, allowing it to be shared without triggering copyright filters, thereby amplifying its reach.
- Defamation and Harm to Reputation: The lawsuit alleges that UMG knowingly promoted false and defamatory allegations against Drake, leading to significant harm to his reputation and even acts of violence against him. Drake’s legal team argues that the label’s actions went beyond typical industry rivalries and posed real risks to the artist’s safety.
- contract Leveraging: With Drake’s contract nearing its end,UMG reportedly anticipated that extending it would be costly. By devaluing Drake’s music and brand, the label allegedly sought to gain leverage in negotiations for a new deal.
Behind-the-Scenes Efforts:
Before resorting to litigation, Drake made several attempts to resolve the issue privately. His attorneys sent multiple legal letters to UMG, warning that the lyrics in lamar’s track where false and defamatory.Drake also reportedly confronted the label privately about its role in promoting the song and the potential risks to his safety. Though, UMG allegedly refused to mediate or assist Drake in any way.
UMG’s Response:
Instead of addressing Drake’s concerns, UMG reportedly advised him of the reputational risks of filing a lawsuit during a highly publicized rap feud. This advice did little to deter Drake, who has now taken legal action against the label he has been signed to for his entire career.
Broader Implications:
The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in Drake’s ongoing feud with UMG, a label he has been associated with since signing to Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint, which was distributed by Republic Records.Drake later signed directly to Republic, a subsidiary of UMG. The legal action also comes amid criticism from some corners of the hip-hop community, where Drake has been ridiculed for pursuing legal remedies over a rap beef. However, his legal team argues that the situation goes beyond typical industry rivalries.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit represents a bold move by Drake, who has long been one of UMG’s moast lucrative artists. It highlights the complexities of artist-label relationships in an industry where contracts and creative control frequently clash. As the case unfolds, it could set a precedent for how labels handle disputes involving their artists, particularly in the high-stakes world of hip-hop.
For now, Drake’s legal battle with UMG is a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in the music industry. Whether this rift will lead to a permanent split between the artist and his label remains to be seen.
For more on Drake’s legal actions and the ongoing feud,check out Billboard’s coverage.
