Federal court ruling or official court documents

Drake Sues UMG for Defamation, Claims 'False and Malicious' Narrative in Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'

Jan 15, 2025, 02:59 PM

Drake has withdrawn his pre-action legal petition against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify in the New York Supreme Court after reaching an agreement, with the notice of withdrawal stating 'without costs to any party.' The initial petition accused the companies of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us,' which allegedly brands Drake as a pedophile. However, Drake has now filed a federal defamation lawsuit against UMG on Wednesday, accusing them of defamation and harassment over the release and promotion of Lamar's song. The lawsuit claims that UMG spread a 'false and malicious' narrative and used bots and payola to inflate the song's streams. Drake alleges that UMG valued 'corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists' and describes the release as 'the 2024 equivalent of Pizzagate.' The lawsuit cites 'vigilante' violence at Drake's home following the song's release.