Drake. Credit: Shutterstock, Adam McCullough
U.S. rapper Drake has launched a defamation lawsuit against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the organisation of endangering his safety and reputation by releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit alleges that UMG prioritised “corporate greed over the safety and well-being” of its artists.
Drake accused of being a “certified paedophile”
The lawsuit claims Not Like Us contains lyrics falsely accusing Drake of being a “certified pedophile” and includes cover art showing his Toronto home with markers suggesting it belongs to a registered sex offender. The rapper, born Aubrey Drake Graham, states the song has led to “palpable physical threats” against him and his family, including a shooting at his residence shortly after the track’s release.
Drake’s legal team, led by Michael J. Gottlieb of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, drew parallels between the song’s fallout and the 2016 “Pizzagate” conspiracy. The “Pizzagate” conspiracy was a debunked theory that falsely claimed a Washington, D.C. pizzeria was the centre of a child trafficking ring involving high-profile figures. The lawsuit also highlighted online harassment and safety concerns that forced Drake to remove his son, Adonis, from school.
Universal Music Group’s alleged defamatory actions
The lawsuit states that UMG “approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit” despite knowing the allegations were false and dangerous. The filing also suggests the label covertly used bots and financial incentives to inflate the track’s streaming and radio play figures.
The Grammy-nominated Not Like Us track has amassed over one billion Spotify streams. Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show in February.
Universal has denied wrongdoing, stating: “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns.”
Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar have remained silent on the lawsuit, though their feud has captivated fans worldwide.
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