Drake’s authorized group has responded to Common Music Group’s current rebuttal to the amended authorized criticism filed as a part of the case concerning Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.“
On April 16, the Toronto rapper’s authorized group filed a 107-page amended criticism focusing on Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl and Grammy performances. In accordance the up to date criticism, which was filed in a New York court docket, Drake’s authorized group argues that Lamar’s efficiency of “Not Like Us” throughout the 2025 Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present—broadcast to 133 million viewers—was “orchestrated to assassinate [Drake’s] character.”
A key level made within the criticism hinged on the idea that the NFL’s determination to take away the phrase “pedophile” from the televised efficiency served as proof that each the league and UMG acknowledged the lyric’s defamatory nature.
In UMG’s response to the criticism, the corporate appeared to warn Drake concerning the attainable ramifications of his actions whereas additionally suggesting his authorized counsel was deceptive him.
“Drake, unquestionably one of many world’s most achieved artists and with whom we’ve loved a 16-year profitable relationship, is being misled by his authorized representatives into taking one absurd authorized step after one other,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement. “Each the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and inventive expression. Ought to his authorized representatives senselessly preserve the New York lawsuit alive, we are going to exhibit that every one remaining claims are with out advantage.”
In an announcement obtained by AllHipHop, a spokesperson for Drake refuted the claims UMG introduced forth of their response, which confirmed Drizzy and his authorized group have been absolutely conscious of what they’re up towards.
“UMG’s newest assertion is a determined try to spin the narrative and deflect from the reality: Drake is holding the biggest music conglomerate on the earth accountable for its actions and doing so with out concern,” the assertion learn partly.
Because the assertion continued, the spokesperson not solely urged that “UMG is aware of the case towards it is just getting stronger” but in addition acknowledged that Drake himself has nothing to cover—whereas additionally placing stress on executives on the label, specifically CEO Lucian Grainge.
“Drake welcomes discovery and has nothing to cover,” the assertion reads. “It’s not Drake who ought to fear; it’s UMG’s present management. We stay up for listening to from Lucian Grainge, John Janick, and UMG staff below oath.”
The assertion added, “Drake joins a rising refrain of artists elevating questions on UMG’s management. The general public and artists needs to be involved about current headlines involving UMG’s largest stakeholder that solely reinforces the necessity for transparency all the way in which as much as the Board of Director’s degree.”
In dramatic trend, the assertion concludes, “UMG mentioned, ‘watch out what you ask for,’ Drake is aware of precisely what he requested for: the reality and accountability.”
Previous to Drake’s group issuing the meticulous response to UMG, Kanye West threw his full help behind Drizzy’s lawsuit towards the label, calling it “the most important victory in music historical past” whereas urging rap artists to cease focusing on one another and deal with the business’s energy gamers.