In a new development in the ongoing legal battle between hip hop stars Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Drake has expanded his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) to include Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl. Drake alleges that Lamar’s rendition of “Not Like Us” during the halftime show defamed him by implying false allegations of pedophilia. The Super Bowl performance, viewed by over 133 million people, included the omission of the word “pedophile,” which Drake’s lawsuit claims is an acknowledgment of its defamatory nature.
Drake’s lawsuit further accuses Universal Music of using its influence to secure Lamar’s headliner slot at the Super Bowl, thereby promoting the performance that allegedly damaged Drake’s reputation. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, asserts that Universal Music’s actions were part of a broader effort to undermine Drake’s career, including promoting “Not Like Us” at the Grammy Awards, where it won several accolades.
Universal Music, which represents both artists, has dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous, attributing Drake’s actions to poor legal advice. They assert that Drake, despite being a highly successful artist, is engaging in unnecessary legal disputes. The company denies any wrongdoing and maintains that Drake’s lawsuit lacks merit.
The amended lawsuit not only seeks damages but also highlights incidents of violence and harassment that Drake claims were incited by the defamatory song. This includes an attack on a security guard at his Toronto residence and a series of attempted break-ins, along with a decline in his brand’s value.
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been one of the most notable in recent hip hop history, with tensions escalating over the past decade. The legal proceedings now add another layer to their public rivalry, as both artists have a history of exchanging diss tracks. Universal Music’s motion to dismiss the case argues that Drake’s participation in this beef undermines his legal claims.
Impact on Daily Life
The legal clash between Drake and Universal Music Group has potential ramifications for the music industry, particularly concerning artist-label relationships and creative expression. If successful, Drake’s lawsuit could lead to stricter scrutiny over how record labels handle disputes between artists, possibly affecting how collaborations and performances are orchestrated and promoted in the future.
For fans and consumers, the lawsuit highlights the complexities behind the scenes of the music world, where artistic rivalries can spill over into legal battles, affecting public perceptions and potentially influencing the music landscape. It underscores the importance of understanding the narratives presented in popular music and the real-world consequences they can have on the lives of artists and their audiences.
