Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging that the company promoted Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which contains false accusations labeling Drake as a pedophile. The lawsuit, filed on January 15, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that UMG’s actions have endangered Drake’s safety and damaged his reputation.
In the lawsuit, Drake asserts that UMG launched a campaign to create a viral hit from Lamar’s track, fully aware of its defamatory content. He alleges that the company employed unethical practices, including using bots to inflate streaming numbers and engaging in pay-for-play schemes to promote the song. Drake contends that UMG’s motive was to devalue his brand ahead of contract renegotiations, thereby gaining leverage for more favorable terms.
The legal action also references real-world consequences stemming from the song’s release, including a shooting at Drake’s Toronto residence that injured a security guard, as well as multiple break-in attempts. Drake claims these incidents have caused him to fear for his safety and that of his family, leading him to withdraw his son from school due to security concerns.
UMG has denied the allegations, describing them as “illogical” and emphasizing its substantial investment in Drake’s career. The company stated, “Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—let alone Drake—is illogical.”
This lawsuit follows Drake’s recent withdrawal of a legal petition against UMG and Spotify, which accused the companies of artificially inflating the popularity of Lamar’s track. The current defamation suit focuses solely on UMG’s alleged role in promoting and monetizing the song’s defamatory content.
The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has escalated beyond musical exchanges, now involving significant legal actions that could have broader implications for the music industry, particularly concerning the responsibilities of record labels in managing disputes between artists
