NEW YORK, USA – Canadian rapper Drake has filed a federal lawsuit against his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging defamation and harassment.
The lawsuit claims UMG promoted and released Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us, which Drake says contains false and inflammatory accusations, including allegations of pedophilia.
Drake, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, filed the 81-page suit on January 15, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The legal action seeks compensatory, punitive, and nominal damages, as well as an order for UMG to retract the alleged defamatory statements and cease promoting the track.
Allegations of Defamation and Harassment
The lawsuit accuses Univeral Music Group of launching a campaign to make Not Like Us a viral hit, despite knowing the track contained damaging falsehoods.
In the song, Kendrick Lamar refers to Drake with inflammatory phrases, including “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles,” a reference to Drake’s 2021 album.
The track’s cover art features an aerial image of Drake’s Toronto home, marked with symbols resembling those used to identify sex offenders on public registries.
Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s actions prioritised profits over the safety of its artists, leading to real-world consequences.
According to the lawsuit, several violent incidents occurred at Drake’s Toronto property shortly after the song’s release.
These include a May 7 shooting that injured a security guard and multiple break-in attempts.
“Beginning on May 4, 2024, and every day since, UMG has used its massive resources as the world’s most powerful music company to elevate a dangerous and inflammatory message designed to assassinate Drake’s character,” Drake’s lawyers stated.
UMG Denies Allegations
UMG responded to the lawsuit on January 15, rejecting the claims as baseless.
“The idea that we would harm one of our own artists is illogical,” the company said in a statement.
“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.”
UMG also criticised Drake for attempting to use legal action to stifle artistic expression, noting that rap battles and diss tracks are common in the genre.
Drake and Lamar’s Longstanding Rivalry
Drake and Lamar have engaged in a well-documented feud spanning more than a decade.
Their rivalry reignited in 2023 after Drake’s collaboration with J. Cole on First Person Shooter, in which he compared his fame to Michael Jackson’s.
Lamar responded with scathing verses on multiple tracks, including Like That and Euphoria, before releasing Not Like Us in May 2024.
The diss track became a commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and garnering over a billion Spotify streams.
It is nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year.
Legal and Industry Implications
Drake’s lawsuit sheds light on tensions within UMG, where both artists are signed under different divisions—Drake with Republic Records and Lamar with Interscope Records.
The case highlights broader debates over corporate responsibility and free speech in the music industry.
“This lawsuit is not brought against Kendrick Lamar,” Drake’s legal team emphasised.
“This lawsuit reveals the human and business consequences of UMG’s elevation of profits over the safety and well-being of its artists.”
As the case moves forward, both Drake and Lamar continue to benefit commercially from their rivalry.
Lamar is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, while Not Like Us remains a cultural lightning rod, reflecting the intersection of art, commerce, and personal conflict.
A Legal Battle with High Stakes
The court’s eventual decision could have significant implications for how music labels navigate artist disputes and the limits of creative expression.
For now, Drake’s legal action marks a rare instance of an artist suing their own label over alleged defamation, escalating an already high-profile feud to unprecedented levels.
