Drake, the Canadian rapper, has filed a defamation lawsuit against his longtime record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), in Manhattan federal court. He accuses the label of promoting Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us”, which he claims falsely labels him as a pedophile. Drake argues that the song’s lyrics have led to personal safety risks for both him and his family.
In his complaint, Drake states that the song, which was released in May 2024, intentionally implies that he is a “criminal pedophile,” and encourages the public to take “vigilante justice” against him. As a result, Drake says he has faced attempted break-ins at his home, has been forced to travel with additional security, and even removed his seven-year-old son from his Toronto school to protect him.
The lawsuit, which also seeks compensatory and punitive damages for defamation and harassment, highlights the long-standing feud between Drake and Lamar, which has lasted over a decade. However, Drake’s legal team stresses that this case is not about a “rap beef” but about protecting his reputation and ensuring his safety.
“UMG has chosen to prioritize corporate gain over the well-being of its artists,” the lawsuit states. “Rather than protecting Drake, the label’s actions have put him in harm’s way and turned him into a target.”
In response, Universal Music Group has denied the claims, calling them untrue and stating that the company has no intention of harming Drake’s reputation. The label further accused Drake of trying to misuse the legal system to suppress Lamar’s creative expression.
Lamar, who is not a defendant in the case, is referenced in the song as having made defamatory comments about Drake, including the accusation that Drake is a pedophile. The feud between the two artists has spilled over into their music, with diss tracks like “Not Like Us” and Drake’s “Family Matters.”
“Not Like Us” was a major success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and receiving multiple Grammy nominations, including for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Drake’s legal battle against UMG is ongoing, with another related case still active in Texas.
The lawsuit is titled Graham v UMG Recordings Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, case number 25-00399.
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