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Kendrick’s Hits, Drake’s Misses: Legal Remix

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“Not Like Us”: Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Rocks the Industry

Drake has taken legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging defamation and reckless endangerment following the release of Kendrick Lamar’s chart-dominating track “Not Like Us.” The suit, filed in a U.S. federal court, accuses UMG of prioritizing profits over the safety and reputation of its artists by heavily promoting a song that allegedly contains false and harmful claims about Drake.

Streaming Success, Legal Fallout

“Not Like Us” smashed records, racking up over 1 billion Spotify streams in just seven days and earning five Grammy nominations. However, Drake’s lawsuit contends that the song’s popularity came at his expense. He claims UMG knowingly amplified lyrics that he describes as defamatory, all while ignoring the potential consequences for his personal safety. This isn’t the first time Drake has publicly called foul on industry practices—read more about his recent disputes in Siri, Play Desperate: Drake Cries Foul.

Corporate Greed Allegations

In his filing, Drake argues that UMG acted irresponsibly, exploiting the controversy to maximize profits without regard for the potential harm to him or his family. Notably, the lawsuit focuses on UMG’s role in distributing and monetizing the song rather than targeting Lamar directly. For a detailed dive into their history of legal drama, check out Drake and More: Legal Drama With Lamar.

Meanwhile, Drake seems to be clapping back in his own way; his recent release, nicknamed the “Fighting Irish Freestyle,” appears to carry veiled responses to Lamar’s lyrics.

Industry Impact

Drake’s case raises broader questions about the ethics of music promotion and corporate responsibility. Should record labels bear accountability for content that could endanger their artists? With UMG yet to issue a formal response, the outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for the industry.

For now, the world is left watching as two of hip-hop’s giants collide in and out of the courtroom, with “Not Like Us” playing on repeat in the background.

Read the whole story from The New York Times.

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