Home Celebrity News Drake Declares War on Universal Music Group with Explosive Defamation Lawsuit!

Drake Declares War on Universal Music Group with Explosive Defamation Lawsuit!

by Zaria Davis
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Drake has escalated his dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG) by filing a formal defamation lawsuit against the label. This follows allegations that UMG knowingly inflated the streaming numbers of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track Not Like Us and released it despite its allegedly “false and defamatory” content.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles and obtained by TMZ, accuses UMG of orchestrating a campaign to damage Drake’s reputation while simultaneously boosting Kendrick Lamar’s profile, even at the expense of ethical practices. The rapper claims the label used Not Like Us, which he describes as rife with “inflammatory and shocking allegations,” as a tool to undermine his status within the company.

According to Drake’s filing, UMG saw Not Like Us as a “gold mine” and deliberately exploited it, despite being fully aware of its questionable content. The lawsuit further alleges that UMG’s actions were calculated to diminish Drake’s value ahead of contract renegotiations. By releasing the track and aggressively promoting it, Drake contends, the label sought to reduce his leverage and potentially offer him a less favorable deal.

The Allegations

Drake’s lawsuit details several explosive claims, including allegations that UMG paid a third party to artificially inflate the streaming numbers of Not Like Us by as much as 30 million. Additionally, the suit accuses the label of engaging in payola—an illegal practice of paying for radio airplay—to ensure the song’s widespread exposure.

The rapper also highlights UMG’s role in Kendrick Lamar’s performance at last year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. According to the lawsuit, UMG pushed for Not Like Us to be performed at “one of the most significant cultural events of the year” as part of their broader strategy to maximize the song’s impact and Kendrick’s visibility.

Not About Kendrick

Drake makes it clear in the lawsuit that his grievances are not directed at Kendrick Lamar personally. Instead, he faults UMG for what he describes as a deliberate and damaging campaign. The label, Drake argues, acted in bad faith by “publishing, promoting, exploiting, and monetizing” a track it allegedly knew contained falsehoods.

While the contents of Not Like Us have not been publicly detailed in the lawsuit, insiders suggest that the song contains lyrics that could be interpreted as casting aspersions on Drake’s career and character.

A Strategic Move

This legal action comes just a day after Drake withdrew an earlier petition seeking information from UMG. That initial filing was widely seen as a precursor to this lawsuit, signaling that the rapper was gathering evidence before making his formal accusations.

“This lawsuit is about setting the record straight and holding UMG accountable for their actions,” a source close to Drake said. “It’s not about Kendrick. It’s about corporate manipulation and protecting [Drake’s] legacy.”

What’s Next?

Neither UMG nor Kendrick Lamar has publicly commented on the lawsuit at the time of publication. Legal experts suggest the case could take months—or even years—to resolve, given the complexity of the claims and the high-profile nature of the parties involved.

In the meantime, fans and industry insiders alike are closely watching the fallout from this legal battle, which has the potential to reshape the dynamics between major artists and record labels.

As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: Drake is not backing down in his fight to protect his reputation and secure his future in the music industry.


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