Drake Sues UMG, Roc Nation, NFL, and Spotify For Promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
Hip-hop heavyweight Drake has just turned up the legal heat on Universal Music Group (UMG) with a newly revised lawsuit that casts a wider net, pulling in major industry players and high-ranking execs.
The ongoing legal battle centers around the explosive diss track “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, a song that lit up the charts and social media but, according to Drake, caused serious damage to his reputation.
Drake Names Names in Updated Lawsuit
According to new court filings released this week, the Toronto rapper has formally amended his defamation lawsuit, aiming squarely at those he believes played a direct role in amplifying the track’s reach.
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Drake now claims that UMG and its affiliates used covert marketing tactics to boost the song’s visibility, all while weaponizing its controversial lyrics to harm his image.
Drake Takes Legal Action Against UMG CEO Lucian Grainge And More, Over Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track "Not Like Us"
Among the most damaging lines in Kendrick’s viral hit is one referring to Drake as a “certified ped*ph!le,” a lyric that sparked outrage, countless think pieces, and intense debate in the hip-hop community.
Drake argues that this wasn’t just a music beef; it was a targeted smear campaign.
Executives in the Crosshairs
Drake isn’t just going after corporations, he’s naming individuals. The updated filing identifies a list of key figures in the music and entertainment industry, including
- Ramon Alvarez Smikle: EVP of Digital Marketing at Interscope.
- Jordan Bell: responsible for influencer and content campaigns.
- Steve Berman: President of Marketing at Interscope.
- Tiffany Bullock: Interscope.
- Anthony Bucher: Hitmaker Services Inc.
- Jesse Collins: Roc Nation.
- Kojo Menne Asamoah: recently served after multiple attempts.
- Lucian Grainge: The CEO of UMG.
These names, according to the lawsuit, were actively involved in strategizing and promoting the Kendrick Lamar track, with the intent to damage Drake’s standing in the rap industry and beyond.
Drake Alleges Harassment, Defamation & Deception
The lawsuit accuses UMG of more than just bad press; it alleges a pattern of harassment, defamation, and deceptive promotional practices.
Drake’s legal team claims the defendants orchestrated a digital and social media campaign to ensure “Not Like Us” went viral, knowing full well it would stir controversy and potentially ruin reputations.
Hip-Hop’s Legal War Heats Up
This latest legal twist adds a new layer of tension to what many are calling the most intense rap beef of the decade.
As the world watches two of hip-hop’s biggest names, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, clash both lyrically and legally, the outcome of this case could reshape the way diss tracks and industry promotion are handled in the future.
With lawyers involved and reputations on the line, one thing’s clear: this battle is far from over.