Drake’s record label accuses him of attempting to “silence” Kendrick Lamar with a defamation lawsuit.
Universal Music Group (UMG) has responded strongly to Drake’s legal action. The Canadian artist sued UMG for defamation, claiming the company allowed Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us to spread false accusations.
Drake Alleges Defamation
Drake filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, asserting that the track perpetuated a “false and malicious narrative” labeling him as a pedophile. The song, released last year, ignited controversy in the rap community.
Universal, which has represented Drake for over a decade, dismissed the accusations as baseless. The label stated, “The idea that we would harm an artist’s reputation—especially Drake—is illogical.” They also accused Drake of using legal action to stifle Lamar’s creative freedom.
“Drake has long used rap battles to express his feelings about other artists,” Universal noted. “Now he’s weaponizing the courts to silence another artist’s expression and claim damages for distributing that music.”
UMG Defends Its Support of Drake
UMG also emphasized its role in Drake’s success. “We have heavily invested in Drake’s career, contributing to his historic financial and commercial achievements,” the company explained.
Rejecting claims of defamation, UMG maintained, “We do not engage in actions to harm any individual.”
Drake’s lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, marks another chapter in his feud with Lamar. Last year, the two artists clashed in a series of diss tracks. Drake accused Lamar of domestic abuse, while Lamar’s Not Like Us labeled Drake and his entourage as “certified pedophiles” who should “be registered and monitored.”
Drake’s legal documents claim UMG knowingly distributed false lyrics to profit from the controversy. He alleged that Universal “fanned the flames” to create a viral hit, linking their actions to a shooting at his Toronto home in May.
Drake further accused Universal of prioritizing profit over artist safety, stating, “UMG chose corporate greed over the well-being of its artists.”
Notably, the lawsuit does not target Lamar directly. “This case is not about the artist who created Not Like Us,” the court filing clarified. “It’s about UMG’s decision to exploit and monetize dangerous allegations they knew were false.”