A judge has ruled in favor of Drake’s request to access Kendrick Lamar’s recording contracts and Universal Music Group’s executive compensation data as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit. Drake alleges that Lamar’s song, “Not Like Us,” which contained accusations of pedophilia, is defamatory and that Universal knowingly promoted the false claims. Universal had sought to halt the discovery process and dismiss the case, arguing the request was overly burdensome, but the judge rejected this motion. A hearing on Universal’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for June 30th.
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Universal Music Group (UMG) filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit, arguing his claims stem from his perceived loss in a publicized rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. UMG contends Drake’s suit is a misguided attempt to recover from the highly publicized feud, characterizing the diss tracks as typical hyperbolic insults within the genre. The label denies Drake’s allegations of defamation and claims his lawsuit lacks merit. UMG further highlights Drake’s past criticism of using artistic expression against artists in legal cases, emphasizing the hypocrisy of his current action.
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At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming only the fourth Black woman to achieve this honor. Kendrick Lamar secured both Song and Record of the Year for “Not Like Us,” while Chappell Roan’s Best New Artist win included a powerful speech advocating for better treatment of artists. The show also featured The Weeknd’s return performance, reflecting the Recording Academy’s efforts towards greater diversity, and incorporated tributes to Los Angeles, highlighting its resilience amidst recent wildfires. Multiple first-time winners and memorable performances rounded out the evening.
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Drake is suing Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation and harassment stemming from Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” which falsely accused Drake of being a pedophile. The lawsuit alleges UMG prioritized profit over artist safety, citing the song’s defamatory lyrics and artwork depicting Drake’s home marked like a registered sex offender’s residence, potentially inciting a shooting at his property. This action follows the withdrawal of a separate lawsuit against UMG and Spotify alleging stream manipulation of “Not Like Us.” UMG has yet to respond to the defamation claims.
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Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed petitions in New York and Texas alleging that Universal Music Group (UMG) employed deceptive practices to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track targeting Drake. The petitions claim UMG used bots, paid for radio play (payola), and manipulated Spotify’s algorithms to boost the song’s streams, all while charging below-market licensing rates. These actions, Drake alleges, caused him significant financial harm and violated the RICO Act. UMG denies the allegations, stating their marketing practices are ethical and that fan preference drives music popularity.
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Rick Ross, known for his larger-than-life persona and gritty rap lyrics, recently found himself in a scuffle following his performance at a Vancouver festival. Reports indicate that the altercation erupted after he decided to play Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” to close out his set. The decision to play a song known for its controversial lyrics seemed to strike a nerve with some in the crowd, leading to an unfortunate incident.
It is no secret that tensions can run high in the world of rap and hip-hop, where artists often use their music as a platform to express their grievances and call out their rivals.… Continue reading
As I read about the Connecticut town having to pay $100K to settle a lawsuit because a teacher showed a Kendrick Lamar video in school, I am left shaking my head in disbelief. The idea that a simple music video could cause such an uproar is baffling to me. The fact that a student and his family felt so traumatized by the imagery in the video is quite frankly ridiculous.
I can’t help but wonder what our education system is coming to when a teacher can be reprimanded multiple times for attempting to expose students to thought-provoking content. The teacher in question was scolded for showing clips of Fahrenheit 9/11, suggesting students watch an R-rated movie for extra credit, and now, showing a Kendrick Lamar video.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker