Drake launches second lawsuit against Universal over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
It was recently revealed that Drake had made a pre-action filing against Universal Music Group (UMG), the parent company of his record label, October’s Very Own, for alleged artificial inflation of streaming numbers using bots. However, he has now filed a second lawsuit against the music company for defamation.
The Canadian rapper has claimed that by releasing Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’ they have defamed him and his brand as the song suggests he is a paedophile, and the paperwork asserts that UMG is partially responsible for “falsely accusing him of being a sex offender.”
‘Not Like Us’ became an anthem over the summer, and the song, aimed directly at Drizzy, contains some relatively savage lyrics that the emcee insists are false. However, this is the first time that a lyricist in hip-hop has ever decided to respond to a diss track with legal action, and many are shocked and unhappy with Drake’s decision to do so, suggesting it is not in the spirit of hip-hop.
Drake’s lawyers accuse UMG of having “executed a plan” to make the song “a viral mega-hit” and claim that they used Lamar’s false claims against Drake (the most decorated hip-hop star of all time) to “drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues.”
Following Drizzy’s first pre-action filings against UMG, the music industry’s biggest multinational responded with a statement reading, “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns,” the company said via a spokesperson. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments… can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
The latest defamation filing accuses UMG of green-lighting a track that “falsely” suggests Drake is a “certified paedophile”, a “predator”, and someone whose name should “be registered and placed on neighbourhood watch” in violation of defamation law.
The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and has significantly impacted his image and brand within the hip-hop genre. Still, lies and unfounded accusations have always been a part of diss tracks in rap music, and Drake’s decision to take legal action for this is bizarre. Furthermore, many see it as something that will cause him irrevocable damage.
The Canadian star is one of the most streamed musicians of all time. He releases music through his own label, OVO Music, but licenses the songs to Universal’s subsidiary label, Republic, for distribution.