The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has escalated beyond music, setting new legal precedents in the world of rap beef. In a stunning development, Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of defamation and negligence related to the release of Kendrick Lamar’s hit single, "Not Like Us."
Drake in Toronto in November. Photo: Mark Blinch/Getty Images
The 91-page lawsuit, filed in New York’s Southern District Court, outlines a series of alarming incidents that Drake alleges are connected to the song’s release. These include three attempted home invasions at his Toronto residence last spring, one of which resulted in the shooting of a security guard. The rapper also cites months of online harassment and public defamation as direct consequences of the track’s release and promotion.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Drake’s claim that UMG intentionally defamed him by releasing and aggressively marketing a song that advances a "false and malicious narrative" about his character. According to the lawsuit, the lyrics of "Not Like Us" suggest Drake is a pedophile and use an aerial photograph of his Toronto home as the song’s cover art. These elements, the lawsuit argues, incited public outrage and "vigilante justice," forcing Drake to take extreme measures for his safety, including removing his child from school.
"A Malicious Decision," Lawsuit Alleges
Drake’s legal team alleges that UMG’s promotion of "Not Like Us" was a calculated move to undermine his reputation and devalue his brand. The lawsuit accuses the label of using the song to back Drake into a corner, ultimately pressuring him to re-sign a contract under unfavorable terms.
"UMG may spin this complaint as a rap beef gone legal, but this lawsuit is not about a war of words between artists," the filing states. "This lawsuit involves no claims against Kendrick Lamar or any other artist; instead, it is about UMG’s malicious decision to publish and promote the track."
Drake performs during Wicked (Spelhouse Homecoming Concert) featuring 21 Savage at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College on Oct. 19, 2022, in Atlanta, Ga.
Prince Williams/Wireimage
This isn’t Drake’s first legal confrontation with UMG over "Not Like Us." The rapper previously withdrew a lawsuit against the label and Spotify that alleged the companies orchestrated a marketing campaign to amplify the song’s reach. While that lawsuit failed to gain traction, this new filing brings sharper focus to UMG’s role in the controversy.
The Fallout: A Song Becomes a Cultural Touchstone
Since its release, "Not Like Us" has transcended its origins as a diss track to become a cultural phenomenon. The song, which critiques figures Kendrick Lamar views as inauthentic, has amassed over a billion streams and is a strong contender at next month’s Grammy Awards, with five nominations including Song and Record of the Year.
Lamar has capitalized on the song’s success, releasing a cinematic music video, hosting a high-profile Juneteenth concert, and dropping his sixth studio album, GNX. By contrast, Drake’s response tracks, "No Face" and "Housekeeping Knows" featuring Latto, have garnered significant streams but failed to achieve the same cultural impact.
UMG Responds: Claims "Frivolous Litigation"
In a statement, UMG denied the allegations, describing them as "untrue" and "illogical."
"The notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—let alone Drake—is illogical," the statement reads. "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."
The label further accused Drake of weaponizing the legal process to stifle artistic expression, stating, "We will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artist who might directly or indirectly become a frivolous litigation target for having done nothing more than write a song."
What’s Next?
As the legal battle unfolds, it adds another layer of complexity to one of rap’s most high-profile feuds. While Kendrick Lamar remains publicly uninvolved in the litigation, the outcome of Drake’s case against UMG could have far-reaching implications for the music industry, particularly concerning the responsibilities of labels in disputes between artists.
For now, the world watches as two of rap’s biggest stars navigate an unprecedented blend of art, personal conflict, and legal maneuvering—a saga that’s as captivating as the music that sparked it.
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