Drake Files Federal Defamation Suit Against Universal Music Group Over “False and Malicious” Allegations

Drake has taken his feud with Universal Music Group (UMG) to the next level by filing a defamation lawsuit, accusing the label of spreading damaging lies about him. According to court documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the rapper alleges UMG has promoted a false narrative labeling him a pedophile, particularly through the release of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.

Filed Wednesday in federal court in New York City, the lawsuit claims UMG knowingly released and supported Kendrick’s song, despite its inflammatory lyrics and visuals in the accompanying music video. Drake asserts these accusations were both baseless and dangerous.

LAWSUIT IN DETAIL

The lawsuit describes Not Like Us as being packed with “inflammatory and shocking allegations” that UMG exploited as a “gold mine.” Drake alleges the label’s promotion of the track was motivated by financial gain, even at the cost of tarnishing his reputation.

Drake’s new lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”:

“It was just three days after UMG originally published the Recording and Image that Drake was targeted at his Toronto house by armed intruders in the 2024 equivalent of ‘Pizzagate.'”https://t.co/EVhVle8tsx pic.twitter.com/fMwDvoWQLp

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 15, 2025

DRAKE BELIEVES UMG UNDERMINED HIS MUSIC AND BRAND

Drake further claims UMG actively worked to undermine his music and brand, creating leverage for the label in future contract negotiations. This comes after Drake signed a blockbuster deal with UMG in 2022, reportedly worth $400 million.

According to the lawsuit, UMG went to extreme lengths to boost Not Like Us. Drake alleges the label paid third parties to use bots, inflating the song’s streaming numbers by 30 million plays. He also accuses UMG of engaging in a “pay-for-play” scheme with at least one radio promoter to falsely label the track as a “chart-topper.”

Drake also ties UMG’s actions to the upcoming Super Bowl in New Orleans. He claims the label pushed to secure Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance to further spotlight the controversial track, leveraging the massive global audience of one of the year’s most significant cultural events.

THE SUPER BOWL CONTROVERSY

The lawsuit raises the question of whether the NFL and FOX, which are airing the Super Bowl, will allow Kendrick to include the controversial lyrics in his performance.

Interestingly, Drake isn’t targeting Kendrick Lamar directly in the lawsuit. Instead, he focuses solely on UMG, stating, “This lawsuit is not about the artist who created Not Like Us. It is, instead, entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize a song it knew contained false claims.”

REAL LIFE CONSEQUENCES BEHIND NOT LIKE US

Drake also highlights the real-world dangers stemming from the track’s release. Since the song’s debut, there have been multiple shootings near his Toronto mansion, including one incident where a security guard was shot.

This latest legal action follows Drake’s withdrawal of a prior lawsuit against UMG and Spotify in New York state court earlier this week. According to sources, the dismissal was a strategic move to pave the way for this new federal case.

The music industry and fans alike will be closely watching as this high-profile legal battle unfolds.