Drake has filed a federal defamation lawsuit in opposition to Common Music Group.
Within the lawsuit, Drake accuses UMG of selling a “false and malicious narrative” about him by way of the content material of the lyrics, single art work and music video for Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’. It additionally claims that the discharge and promotion of the track has resulted in “bodily risk to Drake’s security” in addition to “the bombardment of on-line harassment” and as such, “fears for the security and safety of himself, his household and his mates”.
Based on the criticism, filed in a New York courtroom right this moment, “this lawsuit just isn’t in regards to the artist who created Not Like Us. It’s as a substitute fully about UMG, the music firm that determined to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood weren’t solely false however harmful”.
“The recording cloaks cleverly harmful lyrics behind a catchy beat and welcoming hook. Capitalizing on these attributes, UMG used each software at its disposal to make sure that the world would hear that Drake “like ’em younger,’” that lawsuit reads.
The doc additionally features a image of a flyer that was put up within the rapper’s neighborhood calling him a predator, cites quite a few TikTok and YouTube posts that disparage him due to the track, and asserts that the musician needed to withdraw his little one from faculty out of concern for his security.
This newest swimsuit follows information that the Canadian rap star withdrew a earlier submitting in opposition to UMG and streaming big Spotify, which accused the businesses of launching a marketing campaign that paid influencers, radio stations and others to advertise the track final summer season.
“UMG might spin this criticism as a rap beef gone authorized, however this lawsuit just isn’t a few disagreement between artists. This lawsuit includes no claims in opposition to Kendrick Lamar or every other artist; as a substitute, it’s about UMG — the writer and unique rights holder of Lamar’s music, in addition to Drake’s — and its malicious determination to publish and promote” the monitor, the lawsuit reads.
“Not Like Us” has after all change into a West Coast anthem, has been streamed a couple of billion occasions worldwide (and counting) and is nominated for 5 awards heading into the 2025 Grammys subsequent month, together with Music and Document of the Yr. It was additionally probably the most on-demand streamed track within the U.S. in 2024.
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ was probably the most on-demand streamed track of 2024 within the U.S. (Luminate year-end report) pic.twitter.com/WlyM3Ykrhg
— Navjosh (@Navjosh) January 15, 2025
Drake is suing UMG for an undisclosed quantity in damages.