Drake Expands Legal Dispute with Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
Drake is stepping up his legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing them of mishandling Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track “Not Like Us” and using it to tarnish his reputation. According to UMG’s legal counsel, Rollin A. Ransom, a request was made to delay an upcoming pretrial conference scheduled for April 2. The delay would provide the court additional time to review Universal’s attempt to have Drake’s defamation suit dismissed outright. This move must be executed by March 17.
A Shift in the Legal Landscape
Ransom’s filing indicated that the situation is constantly evolving, with some of Drake’s original claims now being withdrawn. However, the attorney provided little information on which allegations would be dropped, leaving the details unclear for the time being.
Drake’s Allegations Against UMG
Last month, Drake filed a lawsuit in New York’s federal court, accusing UMG of slander and sabotage. The legal action targets the music giant—parent company to both Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s label homes—over the track “Not Like Us.” In the lawsuit, Drake claims that UMG played a central role in promoting a song that falsely accuses him of pedophilia and even calls for violent retaliation against him. He argues that the label intentionally used this controversial track to harm his reputation while simultaneously profiting from its viral success.
Drake’s filing further suggests that UMG intentionally used “Not Like Us” to manipulate his public image and create a lucrative opportunity for the song through artificial streams and paid airtime. The lawsuit alleges that UMG’s primary motive was financial: by diminishing Drake’s market value, they would have more negotiating power in future contract discussions.
The Strategy Behind the Move
Drake asserts that UMG anticipated that renegotiating his contract would be costly. By devaluing his brand through the controversy surrounding the track, UMG could have more leverage to force Drake into signing a new deal with terms more favorable to the label.
Despite Drake’s concerns about the impact of “Not Like Us”, which he claims caused real harm, UMG allegedly chose not to respond to his complaints about the song. The situation has led to further tension between the artist and the label, highlighting deeper issues within the industry.
