In brief
The music rivalry heats up as Drake legally challenges Universal for allowing a song that allegedly labels him a “sex offender” to go viral.
Drake has intensified his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar by launching two legal actions in two days against Universal Music. This comes after the release of Lamar's track "Not Like Us," which Drake claims wrongfully brands him a "sex offender." His legal papers allege that Universal deliberately ignored the potential harm of the song in favor of driving massive profits. Drake's first filing involved accusations that Universal illegally boosted the song's exposure on Spotify. The label has dismissed these claims as "offensive and untrue," defending its marketing practices. His latest legal move, a "pre-action petition" filed in Texas, demands that Universal and iHeartRadio preserve relevant documents for an upcoming lawsuit. This petition also suggests that a whistleblower indicated Universal may have covertly paid iHeart to inflate the song’s plays, potentially leading the track to over 25 million listeners. In addition to these serious allegations, Drake points to claims that Universal used "bots" to brush up Lamar's streaming numbers and engaged influencers for online promotions—all vehemently denied by the label. The fierce rivalry has roots in their musical history, where each artist has exchanged lyrical jabs, but "Not Like Us" marks a significant escalation. This legal drama could have broader implications for both artists, each under exclusive deals with Universal’s various labels. Who do you think will come out on top in this high-stakes hip-hop showdown?
