UPDATE (Jan. 15):
A spokesperson for UMG has launched the next assertion to XXL in response to Drake’s new lawsuit:
“Not solely are these claims unfaithful, however the notion that we might search to hurt the repute of any artist—not to mention Drake—is illogical. Now we have invested massively in his music and our staff around the globe have labored tirelessly for a few years to assist him obtain historic industrial and private monetary success.
All through his profession, Drake has deliberately and efficiently used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to have interaction in conventionally outrageous back-and-forth ‘rap battles’ to specific his emotions about different artists. He now seeks to weaponize the authorized course of to silence an artist’s inventive expression and to hunt damages from UMG for distributing that artist’s music.
Now we have not and don’t have interaction in defamation—in opposition to any particular person. On the similar time, we’ll vigorously defend this litigation to guard our individuals and our repute, in addition to any artist who would possibly straight or not directly develop into a frivolous litigation goal for having performed nothing extra that write a tune.”
ORIGINAL STORY (Jan 15):
Drake is reportedly suing Common Music Group for defamation in connection to the discharge of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
Drake Sues UMG in Federal Courtroom
On Wednesday (Jan. 15), Drake stepped up his authorized motion in opposition to UMG by submitting a lawsuit in New York federal court docket accusing the music big of defamation and harassment, The New York Instances stories. The brand new lawsuit accuses UMG of distributing the chart-topping diss tune, realizing it contained “false and malicious” claims about Drake being a baby predator. Drake’s attorneys say the discharge of the tune was “supposed to convey the particular, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a legal pedophile, and to counsel that the general public ought to resort to vigilante justice in response.”
The lawsuit notes the duvet artwork for “Not Like Us,” which exhibits a map picture of Drake’s dwelling, and cites the taking pictures that happened there shortly after the tune’s launch.
Drake claims UMG propped up Kendrick in an effort to devalue Drake’s music, which might assist them out in contract negotiations. Each Drake and Kendrick are signed underneath the UMG umbrella.
Learn Extra: To Be Clear, Drake Is not Suing Kendrick Lamar
Drake Drops Authorized Motion in New York Supreme Courtroom
Again in November, Drake filed two pre-action petitions in opposition to UMG. One in New York Supreme Courtroom, accusing UMG and Spotify of conspiring to artificially inflate “Not Like Us” with bots and payola. The second petition was filed in Houston and accuses UMG and iHeartRadio of comparable collusion. It additionally accuses UMG of defamation.
On Tuesday (Jan. 14), Drake’s authorized group withdrew the authorized submitting in New York. The Texas case is about to be heard on Jan. 28
Following the primary authorized submitting, a spokesman for Common Music responded to the case with the next assertion: “The suggestion that UMG would do something to undermine any of its artists is offensive and unfaithful. We make use of the best moral practices in our advertising and promotional campaigns. No quantity of contrived and absurd authorized arguments on this pre-action submission can masks the truth that followers select the music they need to hear.”
XXL has reached out to Drake’s attorneys and UMG for touch upon the brand new case.
