Drake has filed a lawsuit against his longtime label, Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming defamation over Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” The Canadian rapper alleges that the track falsely accuses him of being a pedophile, putting both his safety and his family’s well-being in jeopardy.
In a legal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, stated that Lamar’s song intended to make a direct and harmful accusation. According to the lawsuit, “Not Like Us” conveyed the message that Drake is a criminal pedophile, encouraging the public to take “vigilante justice” against him.
Drake contends that the fallout from the song led to a series of dangerous incidents, including attempted break-ins at his home. The rapper also claims he had to increase his personal security and relocate his young son from his elementary school in Toronto due to the threats and harassment he faced.
While Drake and Lamar have had a contentious relationship for over a decade, the lawsuit does not frame itself as merely another chapter in their ongoing rivalry. The lawsuit argues that UMG, which has represented both artists, exploited the situation for profit at the expense of Drake’s safety. It accuses the label of prioritizing corporate greed over the well-being of its artists, turning Drake into a “pariah” and a target for harassment.
Neither UMG nor its representatives have responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The company has, however, denied the allegations of undermining Drake or using unethical tactics to promote “Not Like Us.”
The lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for defamation and harassment. Kendrick Lamar is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, although Drake calls the song defamatory. This legal action follows a petition Drake filed in November in New York state court against UMG and streaming platform Spotify, accusing them of using payola and streaming bots to promote “Not Like Us” at his expense. Drake withdrew that petition on Tuesday, but his related case against UMG and radio giant iHeartMedia remains active in a Texas state court.
“Not Like Us,” released in May 2024, became a major hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks. The song also received five Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, at the upcoming February 2 Grammy Awards.
Drake and Lamar have fueled their ongoing feud with diss tracks, including “Not Like Us.” In the song, Lamar specifically references Drake, saying, “Drake, I hear you like ‘em young” and accusing him and others of being “certified pedophiles.” Prior to this, Drake released “Family Matters,” a track in which he seemed to accuse Lamar of physical abuse and infidelity, while also questioning the paternity of one of Lamar’s children.
The case is officially titled Graham v UMG Recordings Inc and is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
