Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
Drake has stepped up his lawsuit against Universal Music by filing a second petition concerning Kendrick Lamar's single Not Like Us, which came out earlier this year during the height of their feud.
The Canadian rapper has sued Universal for defamation, claiming the label could have stopped the release of a song that falsely labels him as a sex offender. Instead, Drake's lawyers say Universal manufactured a marketing plan to make the track go viral, using its salacious lyrics to drum up major consumer interest and dollars.
The new legal move comes just a day after Drake filed similar documents in New York, accusing Universal of illegally amplifying the song's profile on Spotify. The record label has dismissed the claims as "offensive and untrue," saying, "We uphold the highest ethical standards in our marketing and promotions. Fans decide the music they want to hear, not fabricated legal narratives."
Like the earlier filing, the new action in Texas is a "pre-action petition" rather than a formal lawsuit. It seeks an order from the court to preserve relevant documents and information in anticipation of possible legal action. The petition also lists iHeartRadio, a major US radio network, as an interested party, saying the company played a key role in promoting Not Like Us, which reportedly aired over 25 million times on its stations in the four months following its release.
Drake’s attorneys suggest Universal may have engaged in a "pay-to-play scheme," potentially making covert payments to iHeartRadio to boost airplay. While they have yet to confirm these payments, they argue iHeartRadio is a likely recipient given its dominant position in the U.S. audio market.
The filing further accuses Universal of inflating Lamar's streaming figures using bots and paying influencers to promote the track, allegations the label has denied. Adding to the tension, Drake's legal team claims Universal knowingly released Not Like Us despite its defamatory lyrics, which describe Drake as a "certified paedophile" and "predator" who should be monitored by authorities.
The song, viewed by many as a critical strike in the decade-long rivalry between the two artists, debuted number one on the U.S. charts and received four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year. Drake responded with The Heart Part 6, in which he denied the accusations and said he had deliberately fed Lamar disinformation through a mole. He then removed the track from his socials.
One of the most-streamed artists in the world, Drake, releases music through his OVO Music label in a partnership with Universal's Republic Records for marketing and distribution. Similarly, Lamar distributes his music through Universal's Interscope imprint.
The BBC has contacted iHeartRadio for comment as the legal saga continues.
Comments