The Recording Academy recently removed a clip from the 2025 Grammy Awards presentation, which showed the audience singing along to the “A-minor” lyric from Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
The development follows the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) over the promotion of the track, which he claims misrepresented him. Drake’s legal team is not seeking a change to the lyric itself but aims to prove that the line is defamatory and that UMG acted irresponsibly by promoting the song without considering the potential harm it could cause to his reputation. The lawsuit centers on accusations that UMG covertly financed radio promotion to boost the song’s airplay, which Drake argues led to the viral spread of the lyrics in a way that misrepresented him.
Drake’s attorneys have pushed for full transparency through the discovery process, demanding that UMG provide documents about their financial relationships with radio stations like iHeartMedia. These documents would help uncover whether UMG played a direct role in inflating the track’s visibility through unlawful financial arrangements, such as “payola,” which is the practice of paying for airplay without proper disclosure.
Drake’s Lawsuit Against UMG Gains Momentum as FCC Investigates iHeartMedia
In a Texas court filing, UMG attempted to dismiss Drake’s claims under the Texas Citizens Participation Act, arguing that the promotion of “Not Like Us” should be protected under First Amendment rights.
Drake’s legal team disagrees, asserting that UMG’s actions were not protected speech and that he is entitled to investigate their promotional practices further to understand the true nature of their marketing efforts. In addition to these proceedings, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently launched an investigation into iHeartMedia’s business practices, which could potentially strengthen Drake’s claims. The FCC is examining whether iHeartMedia improperly pressured artists to perform at its country music festival for little to no pay, potentially violating regulations that mandate broadcasters disclose payments tied to airplay. This investigation directly ties into Drake’s allegations, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it raises important questions about the intersection of music promotion and free speech. Both sides are expected to present strong arguments in court. The outcome of this case could establish a legal precedent for handling similar issues in the future.
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