Drake’s legal team has fired back at Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging that “millions of people” genuinely believe Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, ‘Not Like Us’, accused Drake of being a pedophile.
In a recent court filing, Frozen Moments LLC, Drake’s company, accused the streaming giant and his own record label of unfairly promoting Lamar’s song during their now-infamous rap feud. The Canadian rapper’s attorneys argued that the defamatory nature of Lamar’s lyrics went beyond typical rap battle insults, leading many to take the claims as factual.
UMG’s Motion to Dismiss
UMG previously filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit, claiming he was merely upset over losing the rap battle. The label mocked the rapper’s legal action, stating:
“Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, Drake sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds.”
UMG also referenced Drake’s past stance against using rap lyrics as evidence in legal proceedings. In a 2022 petition, Drake and other artists advocated for prosecutors to stop weaponizing lyrics in court cases. The label criticized his contradictory approach in this lawsuit, saying:
“Drake was right then and is wrong now.”
Drake’s Response: ‘Millions Took It Seriously’
In response, Drake’s lawyers argued that Lamar’s lyrics went beyond artistic expression and caused real reputational harm. They maintained that many people interpreted the accusations as serious claims backed by supposed evidence.
“Millions of people, all over the world, did understand the defamatory material as a factual assertion that plaintiff is a pedophile,” the attorneys stated.
The lawsuit also criticized UMG for ignoring the “implied” nature of Lamar’s statements. Drake’s legal team claimed that the track suggested undisclosed evidence of wrongdoing, encouraging listeners to perceive the accusations as truth.
The Super Bowl Moment
The controversy intensified after Lamar performed at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February, delivering a powerful set that included the viral track ‘Not Like Us.’ The event, featuring guest appearances from SZA, Serena Williams, and Samuel L. Jackson, became the most-watched halftime performance in history.
A specific moment from the show, where Lamar smirked at the camera during the line “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young”, further fueled online discourse and memes.
The Payola Dispute
Additionally, Drake recently settled a payola dispute against iHeartMedia. The rapper accused the media giant of promoting ‘Not Like Us’ unfairly, though the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.
As the legal battle continues, fans and industry observers remain divided. While some argue that rap beefs are inherently hyperbolic, others question the ethical implications of weaponizing serious accusations in the name of entertainment.
