Drake Takes Legal Action Against Universal Music Group Over False Pedophilia Allegations In Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

Drake is doubling down in his ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), filing a defamation lawsuit against the giant label over what he describes as a “false and malicious narrative” accusing him of being a pedophile. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York on Wednesday, centers on Kendrick Lamar’s controversial diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claims is filled with defamatory lyrics and imagery that UMG knew to be false but chose to promote for financial gain.

The crux of Drake’s lawsuit is that UMG was well aware that Kendrick’s lyrics, which reference Drake as a pedophile, were not only false but also dangerous. In the suit, Drake accuses UMG of exploiting the track—along with its “inflammatory and shocking allegations”—as a “gold mine” to promote and increase its revenue, despite knowing the harm the song could cause to his reputation.

Drake further alleges that UMG’s efforts to push “Not Like Us” were part of a broader strategy to undermine his brand and devalue his music. He suggests that this tactic was specifically aimed at weakening his negotiating power during upcoming contract talks, particularly after he signed a reported $400 million deal with UMG in 2022.

The lawsuit also points to manipulative tactics that UMG allegedly employed to boost the song’s popularity. According to Drake, UMG paid a third-party service to artificially inflate the track’s streaming numbers by at least 30 million, and engaged in a “pay for play” scheme with radio promoters to ensure the song received maximum airplay. Drake argues that UMG even falsified the data, attaching the label “chart-topper” to “Not Like Us” despite knowing the song’s success was built on fraudulent metrics.

Drake’s legal team is also drawing attention to UMG’s involvement in getting Kendrick Lamar the prestigious Super Bowl Halftime performance. In the suit, Drake asserts that the label’s efforts were part of a larger scheme to use the massive platform of the Super Bowl to propel the song even further into the public consciousness, potentially exposing millions of viewers to the defamatory allegations.

While the lawsuit names UMG as the defendant, it notably does not target Kendrick Lamar directly. Drake makes it clear that the focus of the legal action is on UMG, the company responsible for promoting, publishing, and monetizing the song. He specifically states that the issue lies in the label’s decision to exploit a song containing false and harmful accusations against him, rather than the artist who created it.

Drake has also expressed serious concerns about the real-world consequences of the song’s impact on his safety. He claims that the release of “Not Like Us” has led to multiple violent incidents near his Toronto mansion, including one where a security guard was shot. The rapper argues that UMG’s promotion of the song directly contributed to putting him and those around him in danger.

This latest legal move comes after a recent development in Drake’s legal history. On Tuesday, he filed a motion to drop a separate legal action against UMG and Spotify in New York state court, leading some to believe he might be backing off from the fight. However, sources close to the artist revealed that this was simply a strategic move to clear the way for the new federal lawsuit, signaling that Drake is not backing down in his pursuit of justice.

As the lawsuit unfolds, questions remain about the potential fallout for UMG, Kendrick Lamar, and the broader music industry. The case has already raised eyebrows within the entertainment world, and with the upcoming Super Bowl performance potentially adding fuel to the fire, it’s clear that this legal battle is far from over.

As fans and industry insiders await the next move, one thing is certain: Drake is not going to let the false accusations go unanswered. Whether or not Kendrick will address the controversy during his Super Bowl Halftime performance remains to be seen, but Drake’s legal fight is now at full throttle.