Drake Pursues Legal Action Over Defamatory Claims in Kendrick Lamar's Latest Track

Drake has initiated two legal actions accusing Universal Music of defamation regarding Kendrick Lamar’s song "Not Like Us," claiming it falsely labels him a sex offender and alleging unethical promotional practices.

Drake is ramping up his fight against Universal Music, filing a second legal action in as many days concerning Kendrick Lamar's controversial track "Not Like Us." In the most recent court filings, Drake accuses the record label of defamation, asserting that they failed to prevent the release of a song that falsely portrays him as a sex offender. He argues that Universal executed a strategic plan to maximize the song's viral potential, leveraging Lamar’s provocative lyrics to incite widespread consumer excitement and, consequently, significant financial gains.

This lawsuit follows another submission made by Drake in New York, where he accused Universal of illegally boosting the song's prominence on streaming service Spotify. Responding to these accusations, Universal Music labeled Drake's claims as “offensive and untrue,” assuring that they uphold the highest ethical standards in their promotional endeavors. They contend that the ultimate choice of music enjoyed by fans cannot be obscured by what they deem "absurd legal arguments."

Notably, the current filing is not classified as a lawsuit but as a "pre-action petition," which allows Drake's legal team to compel Universal to safeguard any pertinent documents and information in anticipation of further legal proceedings. This latest filing was lodged in Texas and also involves the prominent radio conglomerate iHeartRadio, which oversees over 850 stations throughout the United States.

Drake’s legal team asserts that "Not Like Us" garnered over 25 million listens on iHeartRadio stations within four months post-release, and they cite a whistleblower alleging that Universal may have engaged in "covert payments" to iHeart to enhance promotion of the track via a "pay-to-play scheme." While the authenticity of these payments remains unverified, they argue that iHeart, as a leading audio company, is the most likely recipient.

If the court endorses the petition, it will necessitate both companies to present evidence concerning the allegations. Amidst this ongoing dispute, Kendrick Lamar has made history as the only hip-hop artist to win a Pulitzer Prize. As they continue their lyrical rivalry dating back to the early 2010s, the latest developments in this saga deepen the tensions encapsulated in their respective musical outputs. Drake has actively refuted allegations of sexual misconduct through his response track "The Heart Part 6," although it was later removed from his Instagram profile.

Both artists release their music via Universal's labels, with Drake operating through OVO Music and licensing to Republic Records, while Lamar does so through Interscope. With Grammy nominations under their belt, the scrutiny surrounding "Not Like Us" adds yet another layer to their intertwined careers in the hip-hop sphere.