In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing hip-hop feud, Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) on Wednesday, accusing the company of knowingly promoting Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track, “Not Like Us.” The track, which includes incendiary allegations and implied calls for vigilante justice against Drake, has allegedly led to real-world consequences, including violence at the rapper’s Toronto home.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, centers on UMG’s role in publishing and promoting Lamar’s song, which Drake claims contains false and defamatory accusations of pedophilia. The legal filing alleges that UMG exploited the inflammatory content for financial gain, despite being aware of the allegations' falsehoods and the potential danger they posed.
Drake's lawyers stated that the track’s release triggered two attempted break-ins at his home, the shooting of a security guard, and widespread online harassment, resulting in personal safety concerns and reputational harm. The lawsuit also alleges financial damages, including a negative impact on Drake’s brand value ahead of his recent contract renegotiations with UMG.
“This lawsuit is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us,’” the filing reads. “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.”
UMG vehemently denied the allegations in a statement issued Wednesday, calling the claims “untrue” and emphasizing its long-standing support of Drake’s career.
“The notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist — let alone Drake — is illogical,” UMG said. “We have invested massively in his music and our employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.”
UMG also framed the lawsuit as an attack on artistic freedom, accusing Drake of attempting to “weaponize the legal process” to silence another artist’s creative expression.
Drake, a 38-year-old Canadian rapper and five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, have been at odds for over a decade. Their feud dates back to 2013, when Lamar began taking public shots at Drake. The animosity escalated in recent years, culminating in “Not Like Us” — a diss track that has been nominated for five Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year.
The lawsuit highlights UMG’s alleged manipulation of streaming platforms and promotion of the song, which is also scheduled to be performed at next month’s Super Bowl halftime show, where Lamar is the headliner.
Drake’s lawyers argue that UMG prioritized profits over artist safety, using its vast resources to promote damaging and inflammatory content. The legal team highlighted the physical and emotional toll on Drake, who has since relocated his family due to safety concerns.
“This lawsuit reveals the human and business consequences of UMG’s elevation of profits over the safety and well-being of its artists,” Drake’s lawyers said in a statement. “It shines a light on the manipulation of artists and the public for corporate gain.”
As the legal battle unfolds, this high-profile case could have far-reaching implications for the music industry, raising questions about the responsibilities of record labels in managing artist conflicts and promoting controversial content.
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