Drake Files Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group On The Grounds Of Alleged Defamation Resulting From Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

Drake | Source: Drizzy X.com page

As reported by VICE, Drake has initiated yet another legal battle, this time targeting Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar's recent diss track-turned-2024 megahit, “Not Like Us.” The Grammy-winning artist is pursuing a defamation lawsuit against the music giant for a particularly contentious line in the song in which Kendrick labels Drake a “certified pedophile.” This phrase is a provocative twist on Drake’s own self-description as the “Certified Loverboy.”

In his lawsuit, Drake asserts that UMG is responsible for disseminating false information that paints him as a “sex offender,” stating that the accusations made in “Not Like Us” are untrue. Drake's legal team contends that UMG had prior knowledge of the inaccuracy of Kendrick’s allegations yet opted to release the track regardless.

“UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” the lawsuit argues, showcasing the label's apparent negligence. “But UMG chose to do the opposite.”

Kendrick Lamar | Source: Kendrick Lamar's X.com page

Drake’s attorneys further allege that UMG orchestrated a deliberate campaign aimed at transforming “Not Like Us” into a viral sensation, leveraging the “spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses” as a strategy to stir “consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues.” They assert, “That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.”

This recent lawsuit comes on the heels of another legal action Drake filed earlier this week, accusing UMG of orchestrating a “pay-to-play scheme.” In that suit, he points to allegations involving the use of “bots and a payola scheme” intended to artificially boost the track’s popularity.

The legal documents reveal that Drake is relying on information from an “inside source,” who claims that UMG engaged in “covert payments” to various media outlets, including radio stations, to ensure the promotion and airplay of Kendrick’s controversial song.