Written By Lisa Murimi
Drake has filed a second pre-action petition against Universal Music, accusing the label of defamation and unethical promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial song Not Like Us.
The track, released during the peak of their feud earlier this year, includes incendiary lyrics allegedly portraying Drake as a sex offender.
Drake’s legal team claims Universal could have halted the song’s release but instead “executed a plan” to exploit its inflammatory nature for profit.
They allege the label used the song to generate “consumer hysteria” and substantial revenue.
Filed in Texas, the petition also targets iHeartRadio, alleging potential “covert payments” from Universal to boost Not Like Us on its 850+ radio stations.
While the payments remain unverified, Drake’s lawyers argue that iHeart’s reach makes it a likely beneficiary of the alleged “pay-to-play scheme.”
Universal has denied all allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.”
A spokesperson stated, “Fans choose the music they want to hear. No contrived arguments can change that.”
Not Like Us, which debuted at number one and earned Grammy nominations, is seen as a decisive blow in the artists’ decade-long rivalry.
Drake, who denies the accusations in the song, has vowed to pursue further legal action to uncover evidence of Universal’s alleged misconduct.
