In a lawsuit that’s been quietly progressing behind the scenes for months, Drake is taking aim at Universal Music Group, accusing the label of playing a direct role in amplifying Kendrick Lamar’s blistering diss track “Not Like Us.” The track—which infamously refers to Drake as a “certified pedophile”—became an instant cultural flashpoint and now sits at the center of a broader legal dispute. According to Drake’s complaint, UMG allegedly coordinated efforts to artificially boost the song’s reach across major platforms, casting doubt on the label’s impartiality in one of hip-hop’s most explosive feuds in recent memory.
According to court documents filed on June 2 and made public July 14, Drake’s legal team submitted a sprawling list of 63 potential witnesses. The names include some of the music industry’s most powerful figures, including current UMG executives and longtime collaborators of Lamar. The list signals a sweeping inquiry into how the track gained traction—and whether industry infrastructure helped push it further.
Among those named is UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, who Drake’s team believes holds key knowledge of internal promotional strategy. Also included are Dave Free, former president of Top Dawg Entertainment, and Lamar’s longtime manager Anthony Saleh. Notably absent from the list, however, is Kendrick Lamar himself.
Drake’s lawsuit widens as new album era begins
Drake is also demanding documents from the major streaming platforms—including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, SoundCloud, Deezer, and TIDAL—in a bid to uncover whether UMG exerted any influence over how the track was promoted or placed. The discovery phase extends even further, reaching into social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram, as well as external entities such as the NFL, Roc Nation, and Fox—all of which were connected to Lamar’s performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
By contrast, UMG has submitted a much shorter witness list: just nine names, among them both Drake and Lamar. In filings, the label’s attorneys argue that Lamar is a critical source of information, capable of speaking directly to the creative process and distribution strategy behind the track and its visual rollout.
The lawsuit arrives at a pivotal moment in Drake’s career. His next album, Iceman, is already generating buzz following the release of its first single, “What Did I Miss?”, which dropped on July 4. The record will be his first solo effort since last year’s For All the Dogs and his first since the feud with Lamar exploded earlier this year. Drake has yet to announce a firm release date for Iceman, though he’s told fans to expect the album before the end of 2025. Even as legal tensions mount, his attention appears divided between courtroom strategy and a new chapter in his creative output—with both playing out on a global stage.
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