Having originally accused executives of conspiring to artificially inflate the streaming figures for the Kendrick Lamar song ‘Not Like Us’ that accuses him of pedophilia, on Tuesday (1.14,), Drake voluntarily withdrew his pre-action filing against Universal Music Group (UMG) and streaming service Spotify.
On Wednesday (1.15,) however, the Canadian rapper filed another lawsuit against UMG leaders in a New York court alleging that the diss track was “intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile” as well as indicate to the public that they should exert “vigilante justice”.
In addition, the now 38-year old superstar claimed that the track put himself and his family in danger, forcing him to travel with extra security and removing his seven-year-old son from a Toronto school.
Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the Hip-Hop musician is seeking damages for defamation and harassment.
“UMG may spin this complaint as a rap beef gone legal, but this lawsuit is not about a war of words between artists.” “Notwithstanding a relationship spanning more than a decade, UMG intentionally sought to turn Drake into a pariah, a target for harassment, or worse. UMG chose corporate greed over the safety and wellbeing of its artists,” read the lawsuit.
Despite lawyers claiming ‘Not Like Us’ is defamatory, Lamar is not a defendant in the case.
Representatives for the multi-Grammy award winning artist have yet to comment on the complaint, but in a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for UMG denied all of Drake’s allegations, insisting it would be “illogical” for the company to work against one of its own artists.
“We have not and do not engage in defamation – against any individual.” “At the same time, we will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artist who might directly or indirectly become a frivolous litigation target for having done nothing more that write a song,’ said a representative to Billboard.
In 2024, Drake and Lamar released a series of diss tracks against each other, with ‘Not Like Us’ proving to be the most successful. Drake denied the incendiary allegations in his response song, ‘The Heart Part 6.’
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Lunchbox LP