Drake has taken legal action for the second consecutive day against Universal Music Group (UMG), this time in Texas, over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us.
Following a similar filing in New York on Monday, Drake accuses UMG of inflating the song’s popularity on Spotify and other streaming platforms through unethical practices.
The latest filing, submitted in Bexar County, claims UMG engaged in “irregular and inappropriate business practices” to secure radio airplay for Not Like Us, including alleged illegal payments to iHeartMedia. Drake’s petition alleges the track and its accompanying album art and video defame him by falsely accusing him of being a sex offender and engaging in other criminal acts. The song reportedly labels Drake a “certified pedophile” and calls for his name to be placed on a “neighborhood watch.”
Drake’s legal team suggests these actions could lead to a defamation lawsuit against UMG. The filing also accuses UMG of knowingly promoting the song despite its damaging content and claims the company fired employees loyal to Drake to conceal its actions.
UMG has denied any wrongdoing, stating it upholds ethical practices in its marketing efforts. iHeartMedia has not yet commented on the allegations.
The legal filings mark an unprecedented escalation in the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, two of hip-hop’s biggest stars, with their shared label now directly involved.
The conflict between the artists, once collaborators, has intensified in recent years, culminating in Not Like Us, a widely popular track released in May that features particularly harsh criticisms of Drake.
