Drake has escalated his legal dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG) by filing a second lawsuit, this time targeting the label’s alleged role in releasing Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track Not Like Us.
The song, which reportedly contains defamatory allegations accusing Drake of paedophilia and predatory behavior, has sparked significant controversy, with Drake asserting that these claims have severely damaged his reputation and career.
In the latest suit, filed in Texas, Drake accuses UMG of knowingly allowing the song’s release despite its damaging content. He argues that the label had a duty to intervene, claiming their failure to act constitutes negligence. This follows a related lawsuit filed in New York, where Drake alleged UMG engaged in unethical tactics to amplify the song’s reach on platforms like Spotify, prioritizing profits over his reputation.
Drake’s legal team contends that UMG orchestrated a “viral marketing” campaign to maximize the song’s commercial success, exploiting public outrage to drive revenue while disregarding the harm caused to him as an artist. The lawsuit also accuses UMG of engaging in a “pay-to-play scheme,” allegedly paying iHeart radio stations to promote the track.
Seeking accountability, Drake’s team has requested court permission to depose executives at UMG and iHeart, aiming to uncover evidence supporting claims of defamation, fraud, and potential racketeering. Depending on the findings, the legal battle could expand further, intensifying scrutiny of UMG’s practices and its obligations to protect artists on its roster.
This ongoing conflict underscores broader questions about record label responsibilities, the ethical boundaries of promotional strategies, and the balance between fostering commercial success and safeguarding artists’ reputations.
CREDIT: Allneeds, MP3BULLET
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