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Drake Expands Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over Super Bowl and Grammy Promotions

The rapper's amended complaint alleges Universal Music Group amplified defamatory claims through Kendrick Lamar's high-profile performances and award wins, intensifying harm to his reputation.

FILE - In this combination of images Rapper Kendrick Lamar appears at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 27, 2017, in Inglewood, Calif., left, and Canadian rapper Drake appears at the premiere of the series "Euphoria," in Los Angeles on June 4, 2019. (AP Photos/Chris Pizzello, File)
Image
Rappers Kendrick Lamar (L) and Drake are pictured in Inglewood, California, U.S., on August 27, 2017 and in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 9, 2017 respectively in this combination photo. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (L) and REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File Photo

Overview

  • Drake filed an amended 107-page complaint in Manhattan federal court, adding new allegations that Universal Music Group promoted Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' at the Super Bowl and Grammy Awards to damage his reputation.
  • The amended filing highlights that Lamar’s Super Bowl performance, viewed by 133 million people, omitted the word 'pedophile,' which Drake argues supports his claim that the lyric is defamatory.
  • Drake alleges the Grammy Awards telecast, where 'Not Like Us' won Song and Record of the Year, further amplified the song’s reach to millions of viewers, compounding harm to his reputation.
  • The lawsuit contends UMG knowingly allowed third-party bot-driven streaming manipulation to inflate the song's success and failed to intervene despite having the power to do so.
  • Universal Music Group has dismissed the lawsuit as 'frivolous and reckless,' stating it will file a renewed motion to dismiss by May 7, with a hearing set for June 30.