In a series of legal maneuvers, Drake has filed a second petition in response to accusations stemming from Kendrick Lamar's controversial track, "Not Like Us," asserting defamation and calling into question the production company's marketing practices.
Drake Takes Legal Stand Against Universal Over Kendrick's Controversial Track
Drake Takes Legal Stand Against Universal Over Kendrick's Controversial Track
Rapper Drake pursues legal action against Universal Music, claiming defamation over Kendrick Lamar's hit song during their ongoing feud.
Drake has officially lodged his second legal petition against Universal Music in Texas, accusing the label of defamation related to Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us," which was released amid tensions between the two rap stars. This comes just a day after Drake filed an initial claim in New York, alleging that Universal illegally enhanced the song's streaming profile on platforms like Spotify.
Drake's legal team argues that Universal had the power to prevent the release of the song, which allegedly makes false claims about him being a sex offender, but instead opted to promote it as a viral success. The petition alleges that Universal executed a strategy that utilized Lamar's inflammatory lyrics to generate "consumer hysteria" and substantial revenue, while also suggesting that the label might have engaged in clandestine financial arrangements with iHeartRadio to boost the exposure of the track, which is claimed to have garnered over 25 million plays in four months.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Universal has firmly rejected Drake's claims, labeling them as "offensive and untrue." The company reiterated that their marketing practices align with ethical standards and that music consumption ultimately remains in the hands of the fans.
Drake’s current legal actions, while not outright lawsuits, serve as preemptive measures, allowing his attorneys to request that the court mandates Universal to retain relevant documents in preparation for potential future litigation. The filing suggests a deeper conflict between the artist and the label that has represented him throughout his career.
The controversy surrounding "Not Like Us" is exacerbated by its acclaimed status, having peaked at number one on US charts and earning multiple Grammy nominations. It has been characterized as a significant escalation in the longstanding rivalry between Drake and Lamar.
In an earlier response, Drake released "The Heart Part 6," denying the accusations presented in Lamar’s track, only to later retract it from his social media platforms. As one of the most streamed artists globally, Drake maintains a complicated relationship with Universal, utilizing their subsidiary, Republic Records, for distribution while producing music through his label, OVO Music. The ongoing saga raises critical questions about the intersections of artistry, legal boundaries, and the impact of social media in the music industry.
Drake's legal team argues that Universal had the power to prevent the release of the song, which allegedly makes false claims about him being a sex offender, but instead opted to promote it as a viral success. The petition alleges that Universal executed a strategy that utilized Lamar's inflammatory lyrics to generate "consumer hysteria" and substantial revenue, while also suggesting that the label might have engaged in clandestine financial arrangements with iHeartRadio to boost the exposure of the track, which is claimed to have garnered over 25 million plays in four months.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Universal has firmly rejected Drake's claims, labeling them as "offensive and untrue." The company reiterated that their marketing practices align with ethical standards and that music consumption ultimately remains in the hands of the fans.
Drake’s current legal actions, while not outright lawsuits, serve as preemptive measures, allowing his attorneys to request that the court mandates Universal to retain relevant documents in preparation for potential future litigation. The filing suggests a deeper conflict between the artist and the label that has represented him throughout his career.
The controversy surrounding "Not Like Us" is exacerbated by its acclaimed status, having peaked at number one on US charts and earning multiple Grammy nominations. It has been characterized as a significant escalation in the longstanding rivalry between Drake and Lamar.
In an earlier response, Drake released "The Heart Part 6," denying the accusations presented in Lamar’s track, only to later retract it from his social media platforms. As one of the most streamed artists globally, Drake maintains a complicated relationship with Universal, utilizing their subsidiary, Republic Records, for distribution while producing music through his label, OVO Music. The ongoing saga raises critical questions about the intersections of artistry, legal boundaries, and the impact of social media in the music industry.
