Drake sues UMG for defamation over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track

Drake has filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging the company promoted rival Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” to harm his career.

The suit, filed in New York, claims UMG collaborated with third parties to market Lamar’s diss track, which falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile.

UMG represents Drake as well as Kendrick Lamar.

Drake argues that UMG’s campaign endangered his safety and damaged his reputation, pointing to a shooting near his residence. His Toronto home location is featured in the track’s cover art.

Drake’s legal team further argues that by deliberately promoting the track, UMG wanted to devalue his brand as his $400 million contract neared its expiration.

The lawsuit also claims UMG invested heavily in promoting the track, including arranging its potential performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, where Lamar is set to headline.

The feud between Drake and Lamar escalated after “Not Like Us” topped the charts, marking a peak in their ongoing rivalry.

The case follows Drake’s earlier petitions accusing UMG and Spotify of using unethical tactics to boost the song’s popularity. But he withdrew both cases this week before suing UMG.

The distributor denied the allegations to Variety, calling the lawsuit “illogical.”