Drake has escalated his battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), filing a defamation lawsuit that puts a spotlight on the alleged lengths his parent label went to undermine him.
Drake sues UMG over ‘Not Like Us’: Here’s what you must know
This follows months of mounting tension between the rapper and UMG, including his withdrawal of a previous lawsuit against the label and Spotify last month.
But this new federal filing, lodged in New York, reveals the extent of Drake’s grievances and paints a dramatic picture of betrayal and manipulation within the music industry.
At the heart of Drake’s lawsuit is Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.
According to the court documents first seen by TMZ, Drake claims UMG deliberately promoted the track, despite its lyrics and accompanying music video containing what he calls “false and dangerous” allegations labelling him a paedophile.
Drake asserts that UMG exploited these claims as part of a broader effort to tarnish his reputation, devalue his brand, and gain leverage in future contract negotiations.
The Toronto rapper alleges that UMG used bots to inflate Not Like Us’s streaming numbers by at least 30 million, turning the track into an artificial chart-topper.
This, Drake claims, was part of a pay-for-play scheme orchestrated to maximise the song’s visibility, which directly undermined his position in the industry.
Drake, whose 2022 UMG contract reportedly netted him a staggering $400 million, further alleges that the label intentionally promoted the track as a “gold mine,” knowing it would spark controversy and generate significant revenue.
He also links the song’s release to several security incidents, including shootings near his Toronto mansion, one of which resulted in a security guard being injured.
Interestingly, Drake is not targeting Kendrick Lamar himself in the lawsuit.
He clarified in the documents that his grievance lies solely with UMG, accusing the label of prioritising profit over the safety and well-being of its artists.
Will this affect Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance?
Kendrick Lamar is set to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show next month, and Drake’s lawsuit raises critical questions about what will happen during the performance.
According to the suit, UMG’s push to secure Kendrick the Super Bowl gig was part of its promotional strategy for Not Like Us.
Drake argues that UMG saw the performance as a chance to capitalise on one of the most-watched events of the year, further amplifying the track’s controversial narrative.
The lawsuit puts the NFL and Fox, which is airing the Super Bowl, in a tricky position.
If Kendrick performs the song, it could reignite debates over the lyrics and the alleged defamation claims, potentially drawing negative publicity for all parties involved.
As of now, neither Kendrick nor UMG has responded to Drake’s allegations publicly, but the situation adds an air of unpredictability to one of the year’s biggest entertainment events.
For now, fans of both artists and industry insiders are left wondering: will this escalating feud overshadow Kendrick’s moment on the Super Bowl stage? And how far will Drake go to protect his name and legacy in a music industry rife with legal and personal battles?
The stakes are high, and with Drake’s federal lawsuit now in motion, the ripple effects could reshape not only this feud but also how labels manage conflicts with their biggest stars. One thing’s for sure—this isn’t the end of the drama.