Drake Files Second Petition Against Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar’s Diss Track

Drake is taking further legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track "Not Like Us." This time, the artist has filed a second petition, claiming UMG is responsible for defamation due to their promotion of the song, which he argues falsely portrays him as a sex offender.

Drake Targets iHeartRadio in His Legal Actions

Just one day after his initial lawsuit in New York, where he accused UMG of illegally promoting Lamar’s track on Spotify, Drake’s team filed similar claims in a Texas court, this time naming the radio network iHeartRadio. The new filing suggests that UMG may have directed “payments” to iHeart as part of what Drake describes as a “pay-to-play scheme” to get the song significant airplay.

Contents of the New Filing

The petition, submitted late on a Monday and made public the following day, sheds light on Drake's frustrations with UMG, the label that he has worked with throughout his career. The document states that UMG was aware Kendrick's song contained false accusations against Drake, accusing him of being a "certified pedophile" and "predator," yet they chose to release it nonetheless.

Drake's attorneys assert, “UMG could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and removed.” Instead, according to them, UMG opted to do the opposite, seeking to use the controversy surrounding the track to create a viral sensation, capitalizing on the damage to Drake’s reputation and businesses.

Plans for Further Legal Action

Much like the initial New York filing, this latest petition is classified as a pre-action filing. Drake aims to gather testimonies from key individuals at UMG and iHeartRadio in order to bolster his arguments for a future lawsuit. His legal team asserts they have gathered substantial evidence for a potential defamation claim against UMG. Depending on what additional information they discover from the depositions, they may also pursue claims of civil fraud and racketeering.

UMG’s Response to Drake's Allegations

In response to Drake's first petition, a representative of UMG remarked that the idea of the company undermining its artists through any means is “offensive and untrue.” They emphasized their commitment to ethical marketing practices, asserting that no complicated legal arguments can change the reality that listeners choose the music they wish to hear.

For further updates and insights on this story, stay tuned.

Drake, Lamar, UMG