Drake accuses UMG of using Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show to damage his reputation.
Drake has filed an amended complaint in his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), intensifying his allegations that the label has deliberately sought to damage his reputation. The revised legal filing, submitted on Wednesday, focuses on UMG’s promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, which prominently featured the track “Not Like Us,” purportedly to the detriment of Drake’s image.
Drake, 38, contends that the performance, which garnered over 133 million viewers, introduced the song to a vast audience, including children who may not have been previously exposed to it or the associated lyrical content. He argues that UMG’s involvement in the promotion of the halftime show represents a calculated effort to “assassinate” his character. The lawsuit asserts that UMG pursued this strategy knowingly, following Drake’s initial defamation claims made against the label in January.
A critical aspect of Drake’s case centers on a lyric from Lamar’s diss track, which controversially labels him a “certified pedophile,” a characterization that was also visually supported in the album’s artwork. The seriousness of these allegations underpins the gravity of Drake’s legal action, as he seeks to protect his reputation against what he defends as false claims propagated by his own record label.
Drake’s lead attorney, Michael Gottlieb, commented that the amended complaint strengthens an already compelling case, arguing that UMG’s public relations missteps and attempts to evade discovery will not suppress the underlying truths. This assertion also reflects a broader concern over the implications of UMG’s actions on the well-being of its artists.
Drake originally filed his lawsuit in New York in January, alleging that UMG acted with corporate self-interest, knowing that the damaging assertions made against him were unfounded. UMG, for its part, has dismissed Drake’s claims as “absurd” and part of a misguided legal strategy. The company has also emphasized its long-standing, productive relationship with Drake, suggesting that he is being influenced by his legal representatives.
As the dispute continues to unfold, UMG filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit last month. The label highlighted a recent court ruling that denied its motion to stay discovery, indicating that further legal scrutiny may soon be directed at Drake. A hearing regarding the potential dismissal of the lawsuit has been scheduled for June 30, marking a significant upcoming date in this high-profile legal battle.
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This ongoing dispute not only draws attention to the relationships within the music industry but also raises questions about the impact of public perception shaped by commercial promotions and artistic expression. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for artists navigating similar challenges in their careers.
