In brief
Drake has escalated his feud with Kendrick Lamar into legal territory, suing Universal Music for defamation after the release of Lamar's single "Not Like Us," which claims the rapper is a sex offender. The filing adds layers to ongoing tensions between the hip-hop icons, as Drake's legal team asserts that the label had the opportunity to prevent the release of the controversial track.
Drake's legal action, filed as a "pre-action petition" in Texas, follows an earlier complaint regarding the company's promotional strategies. The star alleges that Universal promoted the song through potentially unethical means, including false streaming numbers and influencer payments. Universal has dismissed Drake's claims as "offensive and untrue."The petition details Drake's claims that Universal's actions facilitated the spread of what he calls damaging allegations, positioning him as a "certified paedophile." This lawsuit intensifies an ongoing rivalry that dates back over a decade, marked by both artists trading lyrical blows in their music. Drake's legal team cites that "Not Like Us" garnered over 25 million plays on iHeartRadio stations shortly after launch and is investigating possible illicit payments to promote the track. Despite his significant streaming success and a history with Universal, Drake asserts that his reputation has been harmed by the release of the song. As the chart-topping artists’ rivalry continues, fans are waiting to see how these legal proceedings unfold and whether either party will emerge victorious in this high-profile conflict.
