Drake has filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming that the release of Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” in May led to events that endangered his family and forced him to withdraw his son from school.
The legal complaint, spanning 81 pages and obtained by Complex, alleges the song’s release triggered violent incidents and a wave of harassment targeting the rapper and his loved ones. The lawsuit details an escalating series of attacks at Drake’s Toronto home.
In one incident, an armed group allegedly opened fire outside his residence, injuring a security guard and leaving the scene bloodied. The document states it took nearly 30 minutes for emergency responders to arrive. Shortly afterward, an intruder purportedly dug under a security fence to access the property. Five days after the song’s release, another break-in attempt was reported.
Drake’s legal team asserts these incidents were unprecedented, emphasizing that despite his two-decade-long career in the public eye, he had never faced such direct threats. The lawsuit claims the violence and harassment were directly tied to UMG’s actions, accusing the label of prioritizing “corporate greed over artist safety.”
Drake also draws parallels between the online harassment he endured and the conspiracy-driven threats associated with the 2016 Pizzagate scandal.
The rapper’s concerns extended to his family. He removed his seven-year-old son, Adonis, from a Toronto elementary school and arranged for Adonis and his mother to leave the city after the school term ended. The lawsuit highlights persistent threats on social media, some mentioning Adonis by name, which have left Drake in a state of heightened anxiety over his family’s safety.
Drake’s legal filing further alleges that UMG enriched itself from his music catalog while failing to protect his well-being.
“With the palpable physical threat to Drake’s safety and the bombardment of online harassment, Drake fears for the security of himself, his family, and his friends,” the lawsuit states.
It also underscores the significant changes Drake has made, including bolstering his personal security.
In response, UMG dismissed the claims as baseless. A spokesperson told Variety, “The idea that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist—especially Drake—is nonsensical. We have invested heavily in his music and worked tirelessly to support his success.”
As the case unfolds, it shines a light on the intersection of fame, safety, and the responsibilities of major music labels toward their artists.
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