Universal Music Group Denies Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
Universal Music Group (UMG) has refuted Drake’s lawsuit accusing the label of defamation over the release of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us. The Canadian rapper filed the suit, claiming the track spread a “false and malicious narrative” that he is a paedophile.
UMG, which has been Drake’s label for over a decade, dismissed the claims as baseless and illogical. “The notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist – let alone Drake – is illogical,” the label stated, adding that Drake was attempting to “silence” Lamar’s creative expression through legal action.
The label emphasized its longstanding investment in Drake’s success, noting it had played a major role in his historic achievements. It denied engaging in defamation, asserting, “We have not and do not engage in defamation against any individual.”
Drake’s lawsuit alleges UMG knowingly promoted false lyrics in Not Like Us and turned the controversy into profit, even linking the song to a shooting at his Toronto mansion in May 2024. However, the lawsuit does not target Kendrick Lamar directly but focuses solely on the label’s role in distributing the song.
The case marks the latest episode in Drake and Lamar’s public feud, which escalated last year through a series of diss tracks. While UMG has rejected the accusations, the lawsuit highlights tensions between creative freedom and corporate responsibility in the music industry.