In a sudden turn of events, Drake has filed a full legal suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation in connection with the promotion of "Not Like Us," Kendrick Lamar's diss track accusing him of being a "Certified Lover Boy, certified pedophile."
The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan court shortly after The Boy withdrew his legal petition against the record label and Spotify. The lawsuit alleges that UMG chose "corporate greed over the safety and well-being of their artists" when they allowed Dot to release "Not Like Us" even though they were aware of the "defamatory and shocking accusations" contained in the song. is not true. "UMG deliberately chose to make Drake a pariah, a target of oppression, or worse," according to the lawsuit. "UMG did this not because they believed these false accusations, but because they would profit from destroying Drake's reputation."
Drake alleged that "Not Like Us" caused him physical violence by encouraging others to take action, and his lawyers likened the situation to the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory that "centered on false accusations of pedophilia that eventually led to the real shooting." He even claimed the diss track led to a drive-by shooting at his home in Toronto, as well as making him the target of online harassment. "UMG's greed has had real consequences. With the perceived and felt threat to Drake's safety and the flood of online harassment, Drake fears for the safety and security of himself, family, and friends," according to his lawyers.
Drake also used the case to claim that the label used the controversy to damage his reputation and gain leverage in future contract negotiations as he nears the end of his current deal, which would be "costly" to extend. "By devaluing Drake's music and brand, UMG will gain leverage to force Drake to sign a new contract more favorable to UMG." A new indictment included in the lawsuit alleges that UMG used their business relationships to get Lamar's headlining spot at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
According to Drake's lawyers, they sent several legal demand letters in the Summer and Fall of 2024 regarding the "false and defamatory" nature of the song, and Drake himself "confronted" UMG about the dangers posed. of releasing a diss track to his safety. However, they "refused to take any steps to help" and only offered advice about his reputation. "After several weeks of delay, UMG refused to take any steps to assist Drake, including refusing to agree to speak with Drake," according to the lawsuit. "Instead, UMG insisted that it was not responsible for the harm Drake suffered, and extended that if Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG, UMG would file complaints against Kendrick Lamar, and warned Drake that he would face public insult for thinking he filed a lawsuit against another rapper."
Pinagtibay pa niya ang mga naunang akusasyong nakasaad sa kanyang nakaraang legal na petisyon na nagsasabing nagkaso ng UMG at Spotify ng sabwatan upang palakihin ang kasikatan ng kanta sa pamamagitan ng mga bots, payola, at nabawasang mga rate ng lisensya sa Spotify. Ayon pa sa mga abugado, ang UMG ay "whitelisted" ang kanta sa YouTube upang makaiwas sa mga filter ng copyright at higit pang palakihin ang saklaw nito.
The lawsuit repeatedly noted that Dot was not included as a defendant because "this is not about a war of words between artists" but about UMG's actions after Drake informed them of the "wrongful and defamatory " nature of song lyrics. "This lawsuit does not acknowledge the complaints against Kendrick Lamar or any other artist," according to the lawyers. "Instead, this is about UMG ... and their malicious decision to air and promote, through covert means, false accusations against Drake that UMG knew were false, damaging, shocking, and sure to cause great outrage and great damage to Drake's reputation."
UMG called Drake's accusations "illogical" and explained that they made a huge investment in him as one of their artists. "We do not engage in defamation—against anyone. At the same time, we will fight this case with all our might to protect our people and reputation, as well as any artist who may be directly or indirectly the target of a baseless lawsuit just for writing a song," the label responded.
