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Drake says UMG prioritized greed over his security
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Lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, Lamar not a defendant
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‘Not Like Us’ up for 5 Grammy Awards
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK, – Drake sued his longtime label on Wednesday, accusing Common Music Group of defamation for selling Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” saying the music’s false accusation that the Canadian rapper is a pedophile has put him and his household at risk.
In a grievance in Manhattan federal court docket, Drake mentioned the music was “meant to convey the particular, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a felony pedophile” and the general public ought to exert “vigilante justice” in response.
Drake mentioned it led to tried break-ins at his dwelling, prompting him to journey with further safety, and pull his seven-year-old son from his Toronto elementary college and the Toronto space.
He and Lamar, an American rapper who gained the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for music, have feuded for a couple of decade.
“UMG might spin this grievance as a rap beef gone authorized, however this lawsuit shouldn’t be a couple of confrontation between artists,” based on the grievance from Drake, whose given title is Aubrey Drake Graham.
“However a relationship spanning greater than a decade, UMG deliberately sought to show Drake right into a pariah, a goal for harassment, or worse,” the grievance added. “UMG selected company greed over the security and well-being of its artists.”
Neither UMG nor its attorneys instantly responded to requests for remark. UMG has denied making an attempt to undermine Drake or utilizing unethical practices to advertise “Not Like Us.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for defamation and harassment. Lamar shouldn’t be a defendant, although Drake known as “Not Like Us” defamatory. Drake’s attorneys didn’t instantly reply to requests for added remark.
Wednesday’s lawsuit adopted a November petition in a New York state court docket during which Drake, via his firm Frozen Moments, accused UMG and Spotify of utilizing payola and streaming bots to advertise “Not Like Us” at his music’s expense.
Drake withdrew that petition on Tuesday evening. His associated case towards UMG and radio firm iHeartMedia stays pending in a Texas state court docket, on-line data present.
The feud between Drake and Lamar has performed out partially via so-called “diss” tracks together with “Not Like Us.”
In that music, launched final Could 4, Lamar talked about Drake by title, saying “Drake, I hear you want ’em younger” and calling him and others “licensed pedophiles.”
A day earlier, Drake launched “Household Issues,” showing to accuse Lamar of bodily abuse and infidelity, and questioning whether or not Lamar’s enterprise companion fathered certainly one of his kids.
“Not Like Us” topped Billboard’s Sizzling 100 for 2 weeks final yr. It obtained 5 nominations for the Feb. 2 Grammy Awards, together with report of the yr and music of the yr.
The case is Graham v UMG Recordings Inc, U.S. District Courtroom, Southern District of New York, No. 25-00399.
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