Rapper Drake has taken his feud with Universal Music Group (UMG) to another level by filing a defamation lawsuit over the release of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track, “Not Like Us.” In this latest legal move, filed late Monday in a Texas court, Drake accuses UMG of intentionally amplifying the song, which allegedly tarnishes his reputation with a false accusation of being a sex offender.
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The Allegations Against UMG
Drake’s legal team asserts that UMG could have prevented the release of “Not Like Us” or at least required edits to the track’s inflammatory content. Instead, the company allegedly used the diss track as a marketing tool to generate massive revenues. According to court documents obtained by Billboard, Drake’s lawyers claim:
“UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed. But UMG chose to do the opposite. UMG designed, financed, and executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues. That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.”
The lyrics in question include a pointed jab from Lamar, who raps, “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles,” a reference to Drake’s album title. While Kendrick Lamar is not named as a respondent in the lawsuit and is not accused of any wrongdoing, Drake’s legal team has made it clear they hold UMG accountable for distributing the track in its original form.
UMG’s Alleged “Pay-to-Play” Scheme
The new lawsuit also accuses UMG of engaging in unethical promotional practices, claiming the company funneled payments to iHeartRadio in a “pay-to-play scheme” designed to ensure the song’s prominence on radio. Drake’s team argues that this strategy further amplified the damage to his reputation, portraying him in a false and defamatory light.
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These allegations follow a similar filing earlier the same day in New York, where Drake accused UMG and Spotify of artificially inflating the streaming numbers of “Not Like Us” through bots and other unethical methods. Together, these lawsuits suggest a concerted effort by UMG to exploit the controversy surrounding the diss track for financial gain.
UMG Responds to the Lawsuit
UMG was quick to dismiss the accusations in a public statement released Monday night. The company strongly denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “absurd” and “offensive.” The statement reads:
“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. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
This response underscores the tension between Drake and one of the world’s largest music conglomerates, as both parties dig in for what promises to be a contentious legal battle.
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A High-Stakes Feud
Drake’s lawsuits come at a pivotal moment in his career, as he works to protect his reputation and assert control over the narrative surrounding his public image. The stakes are high, not just for Drake but also for UMG, as the case could shine a light on controversial practices within the music industry, from pay-to-play schemes to the use of bots to inflate streaming numbers.
For Kendrick Lamar, the situation remains relatively detached. While “Not Like Us” is at the center of the controversy, Lamar has not commented publicly on the matter and is not directly implicated in the lawsuits. Instead, the spotlight remains squarely on UMG and its alleged role in orchestrating the track’s success.
What’s Next for Drake and UMG?
As the lawsuits progress, the implications extend far beyond the specific grievances in this case. If Drake’s accusations hold up in court, they could expose unethical practices within the music industry and set a precedent for how artists and labels navigate disputes over content and promotion.
For now, all eyes are on the ongoing legal drama as both sides prepare to face off in what could be one of the most high-profile lawsuits in recent music history. Whether Drake’s claims will be enough to convince a judge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this battle is far from over.
