Drake has taken his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar to the courts, filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) on January 15, 2025, for defamation. The lawsuit stems from Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake alleges includes false accusations of pedophilia against him and suggests vigilante justice against him. Drake claims that UMG, the parent company for both artists, published and promoted the track despite knowing the allegations were false and harmful. The lawsuit also connects the track to violent incidents, including an intruder shooting a security guard and two break-ins at Drake’s Toronto home, as well as online harassment and slander. These events have allegedly damaged Drake’s reputation and reduced the value of his brand, particularly as he heads into a contract renegotiation with UMG.
The lawsuit clarifies that it isn’t about Lamar as the artist but focuses on UMG for publishing and promoting the track, which Drake claims they knew was a “gold mine” due to its inflammatory nature. The suit further alleges that UMG strategically used the controversy surrounding the song to increase its visibility, including preparing to have it performed at the Super Bowl halftime show with Lamar as the entertainer.
Drake is seeking both a trial and an unspecified amount of damages for the harm caused. This legal action builds on previous allegations by Drake that UMG aggressively promoted “Not Like Us” on streaming platforms, despite the controversial content. The song has received critical acclaim and earned five Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
UMG has responded to the lawsuit by denying the allegations, stating that they have always supported Drake’s music and career. They argue that the lawsuit attempts to silence artistic expression and that Drake himself has used UMG to distribute his music, including engaging in “rap battles” for creative purposes. UMG’s response also points out that the company has worked tirelessly to build Drake’s success over the years.
The beef between Drake and Lamar dates back over a decade, with Lamar taking jabs at Drake as early as 2013. However, their conflict significantly intensified in the past year, with this lawsuit marking the latest chapter in their ongoing rivalry.