A legal battle has erupted in the hip-hop world as Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation. The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in New York City, accuses UMG of promoting Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us,' which contained false pedophilia allegations against Drake and encouraged vigilante justice.
The lawsuit claims that UMG's actions led to a security incident at Drake's Toronto home, online hate and harassment, damage to his reputation, and a decrease in his brand's value ahead of contract renegotiations with UMG this year. Despite Lamar not being named in the suit, the focus is squarely on UMG for publishing, promoting, and monetizing what the lawsuit deems as dangerous and false allegations.
According to the lawsuit, UMG allegedly saw the controversial track as a lucrative opportunity, investing heavily in its promotion and even securing a performance slot for Lamar at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. The legal action seeks a trial and unspecified damages for the harm caused.
Drake's legal team, represented by New York-based Willkie Farr & Gallagher, aims to hold UMG accountable for perpetuating defamatory claims against the artist. In response to similar accusations in pre-litigation filings, UMG vehemently denied undermining its artists, emphasizing its commitment to ethical marketing practices.
The feud between Drake and Lamar, two prominent figures in hip-hop, has been ongoing for years, with tensions escalating notably in recent times. What started as occasional collaboration between the two artists has evolved into a public rivalry, capturing the attention of fans and industry observers alike.
As the legal battle unfolds, the music world watches closely to see how this high-profile dispute between Drake and UMG will impact the industry and the artists involved.
