Drake Federally Sues Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Defamatory” Diss Song “Not Like Us”

However, the lawyers also clarify that the complaint “is no About the artist who created “Not Like Us”. Rather, it has everything to do with UMG, the music company that decided to spread, promote, exploit and monetize the allegations, which it realized were not only false, but dangerous. They continue: “Drake is not a pedophile. Drake has never been involved in any acts that would require him to be ‘placed on neighborhood watch’. Drake has never been involved in sexual relations with a minor. Drake has never been charged or convicted of any criminal acts.”

In a statement responding to the lawsuit, a Universal Music Group spokesperson said:

Not only are these claims untrue, but the idea that we would seek to damage the reputation of any artist — let alone Drake — is illogical. We have invested heavily in his music and our employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.

Throughout his career, Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to engage in traditionally gruesome “rap battles” to express his feelings toward other artists. He now seeks to use the legal process as a weapon to silence an artist’s creative expression and seek damages from UMG for distributing that artist’s music.

We have not and do not engage in defamation – against any individual. At the same time, we will vigorously defend this lawsuit to protect our people and reputation, as well as any artist who may directly or indirectly become the target of a frivolous lawsuit because they did nothing more than write a song.

The lawsuit goes on to claim that Universal Music Group undertook a “successful” and “relentless” campaign to promote the song, its single artwork (“which depicts Drake’s actual home in Toronto”), and its music video “as widely as possible.” “UMG did this because they realized that the recording’s inflammatory and shocking claims were a goldmine,” Drake’s team asserts.

UMG’s campaign, according to the lawsuit, included helping secure Kendrick Lamar’s spot Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer and the push to promote the Grammy nomination for the song “Not Like Us.” The song finally got a five Nominations to Grammy Awards 2025.

The lawsuit outlines traditional promotional tactics for a hit song, such as marketing and licensing, but also accuses UMG of conspiring with and paying “currently unknown parties to use ‘bots’ to artificially inflate the recording’s circulation on Spotify.” In addition, the attorneys allege, “UMG also provided financial incentives, including direct payments and discounted licensing rates, to various third parties to promote registration.”