Drake has filed a second petition against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging their involvement in the release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us. Drake claims the track contains defamatory lyrics targeting him, including accusations of inappropriate behavior. His filing suggests UMG intentionally used the controversy to make the song a viral hit, benefiting financially while damaging Drake’s reputation. The legal action seeks information from UMG and iHeartMedia about alleged pay-to-play schemes and promotional tactics, rather than immediate damages.
This follows Drake’s earlier claim that UMG and Spotify used bots and biased algorithms to inflate the song’s streams. In response, UMG denies any wrongdoing, stating their promotional strategies adhere to ethical standards. The case highlights complex issues of label dynamics and the influence of controversy in marketing music.
Drake has filed a second lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging they failed to prevent the release of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track Not Like Us, which includes defamatory claims about him. In the Texas court filing, Drake argues that UMG knowingly allowed the song’s release despite its lyrics falsely labeling him a “pedophile” and a “predator.”
Drake contends that UMG prioritized Kendrick Lamar over him, using the controversy surrounding the song to generate viral success. The lawsuit accuses UMG of deploying a “pay-to-play” strategy by allegedly paying radio network iHeart to promote the song heavily, maximizing revenue while harming Drake’s reputation. This action follows an earlier New York filing where Drake accused UMG of employing unethical promotional tactics for the same song on Spotify.
Drake’s legal team is seeking the court’s permission to depose UMG and iHeart executives, aiming to gather evidence for possible claims of defamation, civil fraud, and racketeering. They assert that UMG failed in its duty to protect Drake as one of its artists, instead exploiting the dispute for financial gain.
