Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s ongoing feud over Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” just went legal, with Drake suing Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation. The lawsuit targets the song’s release and promotion, claiming the track spreads false and damaging claims about Drake. Despite being signed to UMG himself, Drake is now taking legal action against the label, accusing it of putting profits above ethical responsibility. Ahead of Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, Drake’s legal team issued a statement condemning UMG’s role in the controversy.
“UMG wants to paint itself as a defender of artistic freedom, calling its actions ‘entertainment.’ But there’s nothing entertaining about pedophilia or child abuse in real life,” Drake’s legal team said. “We’re confident that when we go to trial—and as we keep gathering more evidence since filing this lawsuit—UMG’s prioritization of corporate profits and executive bonuses over the safety and well-being of its signed artists will be laid bare.”
The statement made its way to X, thanks to New York Times music reporter Joe Coscarelli, adding even more fuel to the fire in an already heated rivalry. What started as a simmering tension between Drake and Lamar has now exploded, with “Not Like Us” adding a new layer of drama. The track, a sharp jab in Lamar’s ongoing lyrical feud with Drake, immediately sparked controversy and split fans. Now that a lawsuit is on the table, the drama has shifted from the music to broader questions about artistic freedom, defamation, and how the music industry manages its most significant conflicts.
While all this unfolds, Drake is in Australia for his “Anita Max Win Tour,” marking his first performance there since 2017. The tour, which kicked off on February 4, 2025, in Perth, will take him across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland in the coming weeks.
