A high-profile conflict in the hip-hop world intensified on Wednesday as Drake initiated legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation tied to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track titled “Not Like Us.”
The lawsuit has been filed in a federal court located in New York City and asserts that UMG actively published and promoted the track, which allegedly contains false claims of pedophilia against Drake, while also suggesting that listeners engage in vigilante justice against him. Notably, Lamar is not listed as a defendant in this case.
According to the legal documents, the repercussions of the inflammatory track have led to a serious incident where gunmen shot a security personnel outside Drake’s residence in Toronto. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that the situation has resulted in severe online abuse and harassment directed toward the rapper, adversely affecting his public image and diminishing the value of his brand ahead of his contract negotiations with UMG this year. UMG manages contracts for both artists involved.
The lawsuit makes it clear that it is primarily aimed at UMG rather than Lamar himself. It states, “The lawsuit is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us.’ 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.”
In later sections of the filing, UMG is accused of capitalizing on the track’s disturbing and incendiary content, treating it as a lucrative opportunity. The lawsuit also claims that UMG has invested heavily in promoting “Not Like Us” and has leveraged its industry connections to ensure that the song will be performed at the upcoming Super Bowl, where Kendrick Lamar is set to be the halftime act.
The legal action seeks a trial and an unspecified monetary amount for damages. It also reiterates claims found in earlier legal submissions alleging that UMG artificially boosted the song’s streaming popularity. The song has achieved significant recognition, being nominated for five Grammy Awards, which include Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Drake’s representatives opted not to provide comments on the matter on Wednesday, while there was no immediate response from either UMG or Kendrick Lamar’s representatives regarding inquiries.
In response to similar accusations during earlier legal discussions, UMG issued a statement characterizing the assertion that it would undermine any of its artists as “offensive and untrue.” The record label emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in its marketing and promotional initiatives.
This ongoing feud between Drake, a 38-year-old Canadian rapper and acclaimed five-time Grammy Award winner, and Kendrick Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize laureate, stands out as one of the most significant rivalries in contemporary hip-hop. Their relationship began as collaborative, but tensions erupted publicly beginning in 2013 and escalated significantly over the past year.
Drake’s attorneys from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, based in New York, assert that the lawsuit holds UMG responsible for knowingly disseminating false and damaging allegations against their client. They stated, “Beginning on May 4, 2024, and every day thereafter, UMG has utilized its vast resources as the world’s foremost music company to amplify a dangerous and inflammatory message aimed at destroying Drake’s reputation, which resulted in actual violence at his home.”
The law firm also suggested that this lawsuit exposes the fallout of UMG’s prioritization of profits over the safety and welfare of its artists, while also highlighting the manipulation of both artists and audiences for corporate interests.
