Guess someone at the Recording Academy got the memo. In a surprising move, the Recording Academy pulled a clip from the 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony that showed the audience singing along to the “A-minor” lyric from Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us.” This decision comes after an ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by rapper Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG), which centers around promoting the song. Drake claims the lyrics misrepresented him and are defamatory, complicating an already heated legal battle.
See, here’s the thing: The lawsuit does not seek to change the lyric itself but rather challenges how UMG promoted the song. Drake’s legal team argues that the company acted recklessly by promoting the track without considering the damage it could cause to his public image. The core of the lawsuit focuses on allegations that UMG secretly financed radio promotions to boost the song’s airplay. Drake contends that these efforts played a significant role in spreading the controversial lyrics in a way that misrepresented his character.
ICYMI, Drake’s experienced attorneys, have been pushing for full transparency from UMG, specifically requesting documents about its financial dealings with radio stations like iHeartMedia. This request aims to uncover whether UMG used illegal tactics, such as “payola,” to inflate the song’s visibility. Payola refers to paying for airplay without proper disclosure, a serious violation in the music industry.
In a recent filing in a Texas court, UMG sought to dismiss Drake’s claims, invoking the Texas Citizens Participation Act, arguing that the promotion of “Not Like Us” falls under First Amendment protection. However, Drake’s legal team has vigorously opposed this claim, arguing that free speech laws do not protect UMG’s actions. They insist that the promotional tactics used were not merely expressive but were strategically designed to increase the track’s exposure, potentially at Drake’s expense.
Check out another layer of complexity to the case. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has investigated iHeartMedia’s business practices. The FCC is looking into whether the company improperly pressured artists to perform at its country music festival for little or no pay, which could violate regulations that require broadcasters to disclose payments linked to airplay. This investigation ties directly to Drake’s allegations and could significantly strengthen his case against UMG.