Drake has initiated two legal actions against Universal Music, asserting that the label enabled the release of a song from Kendrick Lamar, which he claims defames him and promotes false accusations.
Drake Launches Legal Battle Against Universal Music Over Defamatory Song Claims
Drake Launches Legal Battle Against Universal Music Over Defamatory Song Claims
The rapper accuses Universal of promoting Kendrick Lamar’s track that allegedly labels him as a sex offender.
Drake has turned to the legal system following a powerful accusation linked to the hit song "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, asserting that Universal Music is responsible for wrongful defamation and should have taken steps to prevent the song's release. In his legal submissions, Drake claims Universal executed a strategy that not only amplified the song's presence in the industry but directly manipulated its success into a viral phenomenon, which resulted in substantial financial gain for the label.
This move comes a day after a separate filing in New York, where Drake condemned Universal for allegedly enhancing the streaming performance of "Not Like Us" on platforms like Spotify through unethical means. Universal Music has vehemently rejected these allegations, labeling them as offensive and untrue, declaring that they uphold high ethical standards in their marketing efforts.
Drake’s current legal action is not yet a lawsuit but a "pre-action petition," which is a step taken to preserve potential evidence relevant to future litigation. It has managed to involve iHeartRadio, the radio conglomerate known for its extensive reach with over 850 stations in the United States. According to the claims, "Not Like Us" had amassed over 25 million listens on iHeartRadio stations within the four-month window following its release.
Notably, Drake's team has brought forth an unnamed whistleblower’s information which suggests that Universal may have engaged in "covert payments" to promote the song under dubious circumstances. Although they have yet to establish the validity of these claims, the argument leans on the company being a major player in the music streaming landscape.
The latest documents detail not only the accusations against Universal but also express Drake’s sentiments regarding Lamar’s lyrics that allegedly mischaracterize him as a "certified paedophile," among other damaging titles. This feud, which has been simmering since the early 2010s, reached a peak with the release of Lamar's track, dramatically signaling a turning point in their rivalry.
"Not Like Us" swiftly ascended to number one on US charts and garnered several Grammy nominations, including the coveted song of the year award. The ongoing tug-of-war between the two musical heavyweights has led to Drake's response track, "The Heart Part 6," where he vehemently denied any misconduct claims and even alleged deception towards Lamar through intermediaries. However, that track has since been removed from his social media.
At the forefront of his legacy, Drake, one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music, operates under his label, OVO Music, while distributing his work through Universal's subsidiary, Republic Records. Meanwhile, Lamar follows a parallel path with his records licensed under Universal's Interscope imprint.
This move comes a day after a separate filing in New York, where Drake condemned Universal for allegedly enhancing the streaming performance of "Not Like Us" on platforms like Spotify through unethical means. Universal Music has vehemently rejected these allegations, labeling them as offensive and untrue, declaring that they uphold high ethical standards in their marketing efforts.
Drake’s current legal action is not yet a lawsuit but a "pre-action petition," which is a step taken to preserve potential evidence relevant to future litigation. It has managed to involve iHeartRadio, the radio conglomerate known for its extensive reach with over 850 stations in the United States. According to the claims, "Not Like Us" had amassed over 25 million listens on iHeartRadio stations within the four-month window following its release.
Notably, Drake's team has brought forth an unnamed whistleblower’s information which suggests that Universal may have engaged in "covert payments" to promote the song under dubious circumstances. Although they have yet to establish the validity of these claims, the argument leans on the company being a major player in the music streaming landscape.
The latest documents detail not only the accusations against Universal but also express Drake’s sentiments regarding Lamar’s lyrics that allegedly mischaracterize him as a "certified paedophile," among other damaging titles. This feud, which has been simmering since the early 2010s, reached a peak with the release of Lamar's track, dramatically signaling a turning point in their rivalry.
"Not Like Us" swiftly ascended to number one on US charts and garnered several Grammy nominations, including the coveted song of the year award. The ongoing tug-of-war between the two musical heavyweights has led to Drake's response track, "The Heart Part 6," where he vehemently denied any misconduct claims and even alleged deception towards Lamar through intermediaries. However, that track has since been removed from his social media.
At the forefront of his legacy, Drake, one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music, operates under his label, OVO Music, while distributing his work through Universal's subsidiary, Republic Records. Meanwhile, Lamar follows a parallel path with his records licensed under Universal's Interscope imprint.
