The long-standing feud between long-time rivals Drake and Kendrick Lamar has only intensified!
Drake on Wednesday, filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in federal court in New York City, accusing the record label of publishing and promoting Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” despite its damaging content including ‘false allegations of paedophilia’ against the rapper and encouragement to listeners to resort to vigilante justice.
While Kendrick Lamar is not named as a defendant, the suit targets UMG, claiming, “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.”
The lawsuit alleges that the release of “Not Like Us” led to serious consequences, including an incident where intruders shot a security guard at Drake’s Toronto home. Additionally, Drake claims the track incited online hate campaigns, tarnished his reputation, and negatively impacted his brand’s value ahead of crucial contract renegotiations with UMG this year.
The suit further alleges that UMG recognized the commercial potential of the diss track’s shocking claims “were a gold mine.” It also claims the company made significant investments to promote the song, including arranging for its performance during next month’s Super Bowl halftime show, where Lamar is set to headline.
Drake’s legal team, from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, is seeking a trial and an undisclosed amount of money for damages. The lawsuit also reiterates previous allegations that UMG artificially boosted “Not Like Us” on streaming platforms.
UMG had denied the claims in earlier pre-litigation statements, calling the allegations “offensive and untrue.” In a previous statement, the record company said “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns.”
Drake, a five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, have been in a feud spanning several years. The two collaborated in the early 2010s, but tensions escalated in 2013 when Lamar began publicly criticizing Drake. Their feud has since become one of the most significant rivalries in hip-hop history.
Drake’s lawyers said the lawsuit seeks to hold UMG accountable for knowingly promoting false and defamatory allegations against him.
