Drake files new lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” single claiming that he’s a pedophile

Drake Sues UMG Over Alleged False Pedophile Claims in Lawsuit

Drake is taking Universal Music Group (UMG) to court in a high-profile defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit stems from the release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track Not Like Us, which Drake claims falsely labels him as a pedophile. According to the lawsuit, UMG knew that the song’s lyrics and imagery were both false and dangerous but proceeded with the promotion anyway, all for financial gain.

Why Drake Is Suing UMG

The core of Drake’s legal battle revolves around the song Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar. Drake’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York City, claims that UMG was fully aware that the track contained “false and malicious” allegations, including accusations that Drake is a pedophile, per TMZ. The lawsuit accuses the label of knowingly promoting these dangerous allegations to damage his reputation, devalue his brand, and gain leverage for future contract negotiations.

Drake’s legal team has made it clear: this isn’t a lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar. Instead, the focus is entirely on UMG. Drake states that the label decided to release, promote, and profit from the track, even though they knew it would harm him personally and professionally.

The Allegations in Not Like Us

At the heart of the legal battle are the lyrics of Not Like Us. While the song does not explicitly name Drake, the lyrics and visuals in the music video strongly suggest that the accusations are directed at him. According to Drake, the song includes “inflammatory and shocking allegations” that cast him in an extremely negative light, with references that could lead people to believe he is involved in inappropriate and criminal behavior.

For any artist, false accusations like these are a career-threatening matter. Drake argues that UMG should have known the lyrics and imagery were based on fabricated stories and that they chose to promote the track because of its potential for financial gain.

UMG’s Financial Motive: Stream Manipulation and Pay-For-Play

Drake’s lawsuit also highlights the behind-the-scenes efforts UMG allegedly made to boost the song’s success. According to the court documents, UMG paid a third party to use bots to inflate the song’s streaming numbers by at least 30 million. The lawsuit claims that this was done to create the illusion of popularity, pushing Not Like Us to higher charts and making it appear as a viral hit, even though the data was fraudulent.

This practice is not new in the music industry, but it raises significant ethical questions. Streaming numbers have become one of the key metrics by which an artist’s success is measured. By manipulating these numbers, UMG could have unfairly boosted Kendrick Lamar’s visibility while simultaneously undermining Drake’s reputation.

Drake also claims that UMG was involved in a “pay-for-play” scheme with radio promoters, paying them to ensure that Not Like Us received radio play. This type of scheme, though not unheard of, further raises concerns about fairness in the music industry and the lengths some labels might go to achieve success.

The Super Bowl Factor: A Bigger Stage for the Allegations

As if the stakes weren’t high enough, Drake’s lawsuit also points to the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show as a major factor in the timing of the release and promotion of Not Like Us. Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s ultimate goal was to have Kendrick Lamar perform the song during the Super Bowl, knowing that the Halftime Show is one of the most widely viewed events in the world.

This would mean that the false and harmful allegations against Drake could be broadcast to millions of viewers. Drake’s legal team claims that UMG played a role in securing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl spot specifically to ensure the song would receive such massive exposure. The potential for Not Like Us to be performed on the biggest stage in American sports would amplify the defamatory message on a global scale.

Drake’s Safety Concerns: Real-World Consequences

The lawsuit also underscores the personal toll this situation has taken on Drake. In the documents, Drake mentions that since Not Like Us was released, there have been multiple shootings at or near his Toronto mansion, The Embassy. One of these incidents resulted in his security guard being injured. Drake’s legal team argues that this violence is directly related to the false accusations made in the song and the way UMG chose to promote it.

In the digital age, online rumors and false allegations can quickly spill over into real-world violence. For an artist like Drake, whose personal life is closely monitored by fans and the public, these kinds of false narratives can have devastating consequences. By highlighting these incidents in the lawsuit, Drake is emphasizing the serious risks that come with defamatory content being promoted by powerful entities like UMG.

Why Drake Isn’t Targeting Kendrick Lamar

One of the most notable aspects of Drake’s lawsuit is that he is not suing Kendrick Lamar directly. Despite the fact that Lamar is the one who wrote and performed the song, Drake is focusing his legal action solely on UMG. In the court filing, Drake explicitly states that his lawsuit is “not about the artist who created Not Like Us,” but about UMG, which chose to release, promote, and profit from a song that it knew contained false and harmful allegations.

This strategic decision allows Drake to focus on the larger issues of corporate responsibility and artist protection. By targeting UMG, he is calling attention to the way major labels handle content, manage artists’ images, and make decisions that could impact an artist’s career and safety. Drake’s lawsuit is more about the power structures in the music industry than it is about his feud with Kendrick Lamar.

The Impact on Drake’s Career and UMG’s Future

Drake’s legal action against UMG is a bold move that could have long-lasting implications for the music industry. If Drake wins, it could set a new precedent for how labels are held accountable for the content they promote. Record companies could be forced to reconsider their promotional strategies and the ethical implications of the music they choose to back.

Moreover, the lawsuit could lead to a reevaluation of the ways in which labels influence an artist’s public image. As streaming continues to dominate the music landscape, the ability of labels to manipulate charts, inflate streams, and control artist branding will likely come under greater scrutiny. If Drake’s case succeeds, it could inspire other artists to stand up against similar practices.

Drake’s Reputation and the Future of His Career

This lawsuit is not just about money or contracts for Drake. It’s about protecting his image and career. In 2022, Drake signed a landmark $400 million contract with UMG, making it one of the most lucrative deals in the music industry. However, with this kind of high-stakes contract, the pressure to maintain a pristine public image is even more intense. Drake’s reputation is his brand, and any damage to it could have serious financial consequences.

By filing this defamation case, Drake is making it clear that he will not tolerate any attack on his reputation. It’s a message to UMG, and to the entire music industry, that artists must be treated with respect and that labels have a responsibility to safeguard their artists from harmful, unfounded accusations.

A High-Stakes Legal Battle

Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group is more than just a legal dispute over one song or one artist—it’s a broader commentary on the power dynamics in the music industry and the importance of protecting artists from false and damaging narratives. If successful, this case could reshape the way record labels operate, pushing them to be more accountable for the content they promote and the impact it has on artists’ careers and safety.

As Drake continues his fight for justice, it’s clear that he’s not just protecting his own brand but advocating for a more ethical, transparent music industry. Whether or not the court sides with Drake, his case will likely have lasting implications on how the music industry approaches issues of defamation, promotion, and artist protection in the digital age.

The outcome of this lawsuit will have ripple effects far beyond Drake’s career, influencing how future artists and labels navigate the complex world of music, fame, and reputation. For now, the music world watches as Drake stands firm against UMG, determined to clear his name and protect his legacy.

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