In brief
Drake has taken significant legal measures against Universal Music in response to Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track "Not Like Us," which he claims falsely brands him a sex offender, igniting a fresh chapter in their ongoing feud.
Drake, the Canadian superstar, has filed two legal actions against Universal Music, the record label that released Kendrick Lamar's contentious hit "Not Like Us." This second filing comes just a day after he accused the label of artificially boosting the song's visibility on Spotify. In his latest legal documents, Drake's representatives assert that Universal could have intervened to prevent the release of the track, which they claim contains damaging allegations that he is a "sex offender." Instead, they allege that Universal strategically promoted the song, contributing to its viral success and generating significant revenue.Universal Music, in response, criticized the allegations, labeling them "offensive and untrue," and defended its marketing practices as ethical. They emphasized that music popularity is determined by consumer choice rather than manipulated marketing ploys.The recent court filing is termed a "pre-action petition," which aims to secure court orders compelling Universal and iHeartRadio, the radio conglomerate, to retain pertinent documents ahead of potential legal proceedings. This filing, made in Texas, claims "Not Like Us" garnered over 25 million listens via iHeart stations shortly after its release. The document references a whistleblower suggestion of "covert payments" designed to promote the song, although Drake's legal team admits they cannot verify these transactions.Drake's allegations extend to accusations of Universal employing "bots" to inflate Lamar's streaming metrics and financially incentivizing influencers to propel "Not Like Us." Throughout the feud, Universal has denied such claims. The legal actions deepen existing tensions between Drake and his rival, Kendrick Lamar, highlighting the implications not only on their personal rivalry but also on broader industry practices.Drake's music, released under his OVO Music label while processed by Universal's Republic Records, has been a significant cultural force. Following the release of "Not Like Us," which debuted at the top of the U.S. charts and received four Grammy nominations, Drake responded with his own track, "The Heart Part 6," before later removing it from social media. The unfolding legal battle underscores the stakes involved for both artists as the hip-hop community watches closely.
