Universal Music Group has responded to Drake’s lawsuit following the release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, which Drake claims falsely accuses him of being a pedophile.
The 38-year-old Canadian rapper, who has been with Universal Music Group since 2009, alleges that the label “approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit” from the track, which includes accusations against him and calls for violent retaliation.
Drake also pointed out that the cover art for the May 2024 song features an image of his Toronto home, with labels resembling those used by law enforcement to identify sex offenders. He claims the label knowingly published and promoted dangerous and false allegations.
In response to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a Universal Music Group spokesperson dismissed Drake’s claims as “illogical.”
The representative stated, “These claims are untrue, and the idea that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—especially Drake—is illogical. We have invested heavily in his music and supported his success globally.”
The label also criticized Drake for using similar tactics throughout his career, claiming that he has regularly used UMG to distribute his music and engage in rap battles. “Now, he seeks to weaponize the legal process to silence creative expression,” the spokesperson said.
UMG further denied allegations that they manipulated streaming services or used bots and pay-to-play tactics to make Lamar’s song go viral, calling such suggestions “offensive and untrue.”
They emphasized their commitment to ethical marketing practices, adding, “No amount of fabricated legal arguments can change the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
The day before filing the lawsuit, Drake’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb had requested to withdraw the previous legal action and proceed with a federal suit instead.
