Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Drake Claims Universal Promotes Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

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Drake’s ongoing lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar, characterized by a series of acerbic diss tracks, has undeniably dominated the rap narrative this year, capturing the attention of both fans and critics alike. This tumultuous exchange has now escalated into a legal battle.

On Monday, legal representatives for Drake initiated proceedings in New York and Texas, targeting the Universal Music Group (UMG), the formidable record label encompassing both artists. The suit alleges that UMG orchestrated a sophisticated scheme designed to catapult Lamar’s “Not Like Us” to prominence, systematically undermining the release and reception of Drake’s own musical endeavors. The claim posits that UMG engaged in manipulative practices including automated digital engagement through bots to artificially inflate streaming metrics, coupled with illicit payola arrangements to sway radio airtime in favor of Lamar’s track.

As outlined in the legal documents submitted to the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan by one of Drake’s enterprises, Frozen Moments, the rapper’s attorneys assert that UMG executed an intentional strategy to inundate digital platforms and terrestrial radio with Lamar’s single, thereby engineering its virality. This strategy reportedly involved not merely promotional tactics but also illicit interventions to amplify the track’s visibility.

Further complicating matters, a complementary filing in Bexar County, Texas, presented under Drake’s legal name, Aubrey Drake Graham, indicated that consideration is being given to mounting a defamation claim against UMG in light of Lamar’s provocative assertions within “Not Like Us.” The contentious track allegedly included derogatory references to Drake, specifically labeling him and his associates as “certified pedophiles.” The filing highlighted UMG’s awareness of the defamatory nature of the song, asserting that the label had the prerogative to either withhold its release or mandate editing of the scandalous content but ultimately opted for distribution, thus exposing Drake to significant reputational harm.

In essence, this conflict transcends mere artistic rivalry, encroaching upon the realms of legal recourse and the intricate dynamics of celebrity reputation within the music industry.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Acerbic /əˈsɜː.bɪk/ (adjective): Sharp and forthright often in a sarcastic or biting manner.
  2. Dominate /ˈdɒ.mɪ.neɪt/ (verb): To have a commanding influence on; to control.
  3. Allege /əˈlɛdʒ/ (verb): To claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong typically without proof.
  4. Manipulative /məˈnɪp.jʊ.lə.tɪv/ (adjective): Characterized by unfairly controlling or influencing someone or something.
  5. Defamation /ˌdɛf.əˈmeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.
  6. Virality /vaɪˈræl.ɪ.ti/ (noun): The quality of being viral; the tendency to be circulating widely and rapidly on the Internet.

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