Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of defamation for promoting Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us".
The Allegations
In legal documents filed in a New York court on Wednesday and obtained by Reuters, lawyers for the Canadian rapper alleged that "Not Like Us" was intended to falsely label Drake as a "criminal paedophile" and to encourage the public to enact "vigilante justice" against him.
Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, claimed the song put both him and his family at risk, forcing him to hire extra security and remove his seven-year-old son from school in Toronto for safety concerns.
The rapper is seeking damages for defamation and harassment, arguing that UMG prioritized "corporate greed over the safety and wellbeing" of its artists.
"Not a Rap Beef Gone Legal"
In the lawsuit, Drake emphasized that the case is not about a "rap beef gone legal", despite the public feud between him and Kendrick Lamar.
"Notwithstanding a relationship spanning more than a decade, UMG intentionally sought to turn Drake into a pariah, a target for harassment, or worse," the lawsuit states.
Kendrick Lamar Not Named as a Defendant
Although Kendrick Lamar is not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, Drake's lawyers maintain that "Not Like Us" contains defamatory statements.
UMG Denies All Allegations
In a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for UMG denied all of Drake's accusations, calling them "illogical" and asserting that the company would never work against one of its own artists.
"We have not and do not engage in defamation—against any individual," the spokesperson said, as reported by Billboard.
"We will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artist who might directly or indirectly become a frivolous litigation target for having done nothing more than write a song."
Background on the Diss Track Feud
In 2024, Drake and Kendrick Lamar exchanged a series of diss tracks, with "Not Like Us" becoming the most prominent. In response, Drake denied the allegations in his track "The Heart Part 6", further fueling their public feud.
This latest lawsuit follows Drake's decision on Tuesday to withdraw a pre-action filing against UMG and Spotify, in which he had accused them of artificially inflating the streaming figures for "Not Like Us".
The Ongoing Legal Battle
As the case develops, it highlights the tension between the business of music and the personal stakes for artists embroiled in public controversies. Whether Kendrick Lamar will comment or become involved in the case remains to be seen, but for now, Drake is determined to defend his reputation and ensure his family’s safety.
