Drake Takes Legal Action Against Universal Music Group, Claims Damaging Evidence Ahead of Super Bowl LIX
While the world geared up for Super Bowl LIX, Drake and his legal team were preparing for a different kind of showdown, issuing a statement in connection with a lawsuit filed against Universal Music Group (UMG). The statement was released just hours before Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance, where he would perform his groundbreaking diss track “Not Like Us.”
According to The New York Times, Drake’s legal team sent the statement to the public, sharply criticizing UMG’s position on the lawsuit. In the statement, the rapper accused the label of masking its true intentions, claiming that they portrayed their actions as “entertainment” while handling more serious matters behind the scenes. The statement read, “UMG is masquerading as a champion of artistic freedom by calling its actions merely ‘entertainment,’ but there is nothing entertaining about pedophilia or child abuse in the real world.”
The lawsuit, filed earlier this year, centers on Drake’s defamation claims against UMG, accusing the label of conspiring to promote Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking diss song “Not Like Us.” This legal action follows a series of pre-action suits Drake filed in November 2024, alleging that UMG used playlists and bots to artificially boost the song’s popularity.
Damaging Evidence to Be Presented in Court
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The statement issued by Drake’s legal team expressed confidence that the evidence they are preparing for trial will expose UMG’s prioritization of corporate profits over the welfare of their signed artists. “We are confident that the evidence we will ultimately present at trial—including information we’ve already learned and continue to receive since filing the lawsuit—will expose UMG’s gross prioritization of its own corporate profits and executive bonuses over its exclusively signed artists’ well-being and the truth,” the statement continued.
While the lawsuit has stirred controversy, Kendrick Lamar has not been named as a defendant in the case. Lamar, a celebrated artist with 22 Grammy Awards and the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, is considered one of the most influential figures in hip-hop today. His performance at Super Bowl LIX, which captivated over 113 million viewers, featured “Not Like Us,” a track that has quickly become a defining moment in his career.
Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show
Lamar’s halftime show, held at the Caesars Superdome, featured a live audience passionately singing along to his hit song, as the crowd in the stadium echoed “A Minor” during the performance. It was a memorable moment for hip-hop fans around the world, but also a significant point of tension for Drake, whose legal battle with UMG has made headlines.
Looking Ahead: The Legal and Musical Battle Continues
As the legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group continues to unfold, it’s clear that the rapper’s pursuit of justice is not just about music—it’s about standing up for what he believes is right. While Kendrick Lamar continues to rise as one of the most influential voices in hip-hop, the spotlight is now on Drake’s legal battle, which could have significant ramifications for the future of the music industry.
