Universal Music Group has responded after Drake filed a lawsuit against the label for releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us.
Drake, 38, accused UMG of “approving, publishing, and launching a campaign” to turn the track into a viral hit, which allegedly falsely labels him a pedophile and calls for violent retribution.
He also pointed out that the cover of the May 2024 song features an image of his Toronto home with markings resembling those used by law enforcement to identify sex offenders. Drake claims UMG knowingly published and profited from false and harmful allegations.
Shortly after Drake filed his lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Universal Music Group (UMG) released a statement dismissing the rapper’s claims as “illogical.”
“Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—let alone Drake—is illogical,” a UMG spokesperson told People Magazine. “We have invested massively in his music, and our employees have worked tirelessly to help him achieve historic commercial and personal success.”
The label also pointed out that Drake had engaged in similar tactics throughout his career. “Drake has intentionally used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to engage in back-and-forth ‘rap battles’ to express his feelings about other artists,” UMG stated. “Now, he seeks to weaponize the legal process to silence creative expression and seek damages for distributing that music.”
UMG further clarified, “We have not and do not engage in defamation against any individual. We will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people, our reputation, and any artist who might become a frivolous litigation target.”
Addressing Drake’s accusations that UMG launched a “campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services” to make Lamar’s diss track go viral, the record label responded, “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns.”
They added, “No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Notably, a day before Drake’s legal filing, his attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, petitioned to withdraw the action and proceed with a federal suit instead.
