Record label hits back at 'illogical' Drake lawsuit

Drake, a well-known Canadian musician, has sold over 200 million records throughout his career. Recently, he has found himself in a legal battle with his record label, Universal Music Group. The conflict arose when Drake filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that they allowed the release of a diss track by Kendrick Lamar titled Not Like Us, which he argues has damaged his reputation. In his lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Drake accuses Universal of defamation, stating that the song has spread a 'false and malicious narrative' about him being a paedophile. Universal Music Group has responded strongly to these allegations, asserting that they are completely untrue. They stated, 'Not only are these claims untrue, but the notion that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist - let alone Drake - is illogical. ' The label has been associated with Drake for over a decade and has played a significant role in his rise to fame. They also accused Drake of attempting to 'silence' Kendrick Lamar by taking their feud to the courts. Universal pointed out that throughout his career, Drake has used their platform to distribute his music and engage in rap battles with other artists. They believe that he is now trying to use the legal system to suppress Kendrick's creative expression. Universal Music Group emphasized that they have invested heavily in Drake's music, helping him achieve remarkable commercial success. They concluded their statement by asserting that they do not engage in defamation against any individual. Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us has received five nominations for the upcoming Grammy Awards, highlighting its significance in the music industry. The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been a topic of discussion for quite some time. Last year, the two artists exchanged barbs in a series of rap tracks, with Drake accusing Kendrick of domestic abuse. In response, Kendrick's Not Like Us characterized Drake and his entourage in a derogatory manner, suggesting they should be registered as paedophiles. In his court documents, Drake claims that Universal was aware of the false nature of Lamar's lyrics but chose to promote the song for profit. He alleges that the label initiated a campaign to create a viral hit, which he believes led to a shooting incident at his Toronto mansion last May. Drake argues that Universal prioritized corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists. However, it is important to note that his lawsuit does not target Kendrick Lamar directly. The court documents clarify, 'This lawsuit is not about the artist who created Not Like Us. ' Instead, it focuses on Universal Music Group, the company that decided to publish and promote the song, despite knowing the allegations were false and potentially harmful.