Drake has filed a federal lawsuit against his record label, Universal Music Group, alleging that the release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” was defamatory and put his life at risk. The lawsuit claims that the label “approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track” that falsely accused Drake of being a pedophile.
Drake accuses Universal of prioritizing corporate greed over artist safety, citing a shooting at his Toronto home days after the song’s release as an example. The incident left one security guard injured, and two other individuals attempted to trespass on the property in the following days.
The lawsuit also claims that Universal engaged in questionable practices to promote the song, including covertly offering financial incentives to third parties to stream and play the track on radio stations without disclosing the payments. Drake had previously tried to inform the label about the harm caused by the song, but was allegedly told he would face humiliation if he brought legal action.
Universal has denied the claims, stating that they have a successful business relationship with Drake and that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence his creative expression. The record label will fight the case on its own behalf and to protect other artists from being targeted by frivolous litigation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/arts/music/drake-kendrick-lamar-lawsuit-not-like-us.html