Drake’s ongoing federal defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) has sparked significant controversy and raised concerns within both the hip-hop community and broader media. The lawsuit stems from the release of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track directed at the Toronto rapper. Critics have questioned the legitimacy of the case, with some pointing out the challenges Drake faces in seeking defamation damages in such a high-profile public dispute.
A recent article in The Guardian draws parallels between Drake’s case and an infamous defamation lawsuit filed by Debbie Mathers against her son, Eminem, in 1999. Mathers sought $11 million after Eminem referenced her drug use on The Slim Shady EP but was awarded only $25,000, which dwindled to $1,600 after legal fees. The article highlights the difficulty of winning defamation cases in the public eye, especially for high-profile celebrities like Drake.
While some speculate that the lawsuit may be part of Drake’s contract negotiation strategy with UMG, many see it as damaging to his reputation. Additionally, the lawsuit raises broader concerns about the potential for legal action to suppress artistic expression, particularly in the realm of rap, where diss tracks and battles have been a staple of the culture for over 50 years. With this context, it seems unlikely that Drake will succeed in his case, and his legal strategy could have long-term consequences for his career.
Tag: Drake
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Soulja Boy Calls Out Drake in Latest Livestream Rant
The ongoing feud intensifies as Soulja Boy accuses Drake of being a “btch” and mocks his legal battles
Soulja Boy’s longstanding beef with Drake flared up once again over the weekend, as the rapper ranted about the 6 God on his livestream. The trigger for Soulja’s latest tirade appears to be related to Drake fans’ reactions to Soulja’s performance at Donald Trump’s Crypto Ball. In a fiery clip, Soulja Boy berated Drake, calling him a “btch” and telling him to stay in Canada, claiming, “You can’t even come to America and talk to the president, fck boy.” He added, “Stay in Canada, where your b*tch belongs at.”
Soulja’s anger didn’t stop there. He went on to ask his followers who they thought won the ongoing Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, before taking shots at Drake’s recent lawsuit against Universal Music Group. “Ya’ll the type of people that sue people, like Drake,” Soulja said, mocking Drake for filing legal complaints after losing rap battles. “Y’all the type of people that lose a rap battle and sue like Drake.”
The feud between Soulja Boy and Drake has been simmering for years, with the two frequently taking jabs at each other. In January 2025, Soulja Boy took to X (formerly Twitter) to say, “Time to disappear. PS Drake u went out sad,” as part of a larger critique of global events, including California wildfires. This, however, was far from the first time Soulja Boy expressed his disdain for Drake. In 2019, Soulja Boy famously accused Drake of copying his style, particularly referencing similarities between his 2007 track “What’s Hannenin” and Drake’s “Miss Me.”
Despite these persistent jabs, Drake has largely remained quiet, not responding directly to Soulja’s provocations. The back-and-forth highlights the tensions that can arise in the music industry, with past collaborations and friendly relationships often evolving into public disputes. -
Drake’s Legal Battle with Universal Music Group Takes New Turn
UMG seeks to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit, claiming insufficient evidence and retaliatory motives
Drake’s ongoing legal conflict with Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken a dramatic twist. The music giant filed a motion to dismiss his pre-action petition in a Texas court on January 23, claiming the Toronto rapper has failed to present adequate evidence for his allegations. Drake filed the petition in November, accusing UMG of engaging in payola to promote Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”
In their motion, UMG argues that the promotion of Kendrick’s song falls under protected free speech, and that Drake’s claims lack a solid evidentiary foundation. The company also dismissed Drake’s assertion that payments were funneled to radio stations as “hearsay” and inadmissible.
Furthermore, UMG contends that Drake’s petition was filed in the wrong court and that his grievances should be addressed through a federal lawsuit he already filed in New York earlier this month. They claim that his legal actions are part of a larger strategy to retaliate against UMG and limit the distribution of Kendrick’s song.
As part of their motion, UMG is seeking to have the petition thrown out and requesting that Drake cover their legal fees. A hearing on the matter is set for January 28, though the case could be delayed depending on the outcome of the motion. -
Jim Jones Defends Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group
Capo argues Drake’s lawsuit is about holding a powerful company accountable, not a rap battle
Jim Jones has come to Drake’s defense after the rapper’s controversial lawsuit against his longtime record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), for defamation over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Appearing on the Broke N’ Frontin podcast, Jones shielded Drake from the backlash, pointing out that the 6 God is not suing Kendrick Lamar directly but rather UMG, a company with a history of allegedly exploiting artists.
“He’s not snitching on nobody… He’s suing UMG, which is the biggest company that has the biggest bag,” Jones said, emphasizing that Drake has a right to pursue legal action against a powerful corporation. He likened the lawsuit to the time comedian Tracy Morgan sued Walmart after a truck hit him, questioning why people wouldn’t support Drake’s efforts to get a financial settlement from a company that “rapes everybody.”
Jones also clarified that Drake’s lawsuit is not tied to the rap battle itself, stating that the song is out, and public perception of the beef is already formed. He stressed that the lawsuit protects artists from exploitation and dismissed comparisons to the street or rap culture.
However, not everyone agrees with Drake’s legal move. In a recent podcast episode, Joe Budden criticized the lawsuit, accusing Drake of being hypocritical by playing both the aggressor and the victim. He voiced disappointment over the situation, calling it a “mess” and “disgusting” for the culture. -
Drake Unveils Extravagant Anita Max Wynn Pendant Ahead of Australian Tour
Drizzy’s New Bling Features 3 Kilos of Gold and Hidden Toronto Skyline
Drake will have a new woman around his neck when he heads to Australia for his tour—an iced-out mascot of his alter ego, Anita Max Wynn.
Crafted by celebrity jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills, Drizzy’s new pendant boasts an impressive 3 kilos of gold and over 250 carats of flawless diamonds used to shape the facial features.
“Having done a number of Owl pieces for Drake, I was excited to work with him on a pendant of his alter ego. Just as the cartoon holds more meaning than meets the eye, so does the pendant,” Jason told TMZ.Adding to the pendant’s uniqueness, it features a hidden door that opens to reveal the iconic skyline of Toronto, a nod to Drake’s hometown. The back of the pendant is engraved with the dates of his Australian tour, appropriately named the Anita Max Wynn Tour. Known for his love of gambling, Drake created the name as a playful twist on the phrase “I need a max win.”
Fans eagerly anticipate the tour and Drake’s latest extravagant addition to his jewelry collection. -
Drake Banned from Commentating at Toronto Raptors Games for a Year
Drizzy takes ban in stride while fans speculate over the cause
Drake has reportedly been banned from commentating at Toronto Raptors games for the next year. The news broke after the Toronto rapper posted about the ban on his Instagram Story during a Raptors game against the Golden State Warriors on January 13.
“@raptors how long is my headphone ban?? I was born to commentate,” he wrote, followed by an audible commentary in which he said, “Good ol’ one-year ban. It is what it is. It was good while it lasted. I’ll be back one day…”
Fans believe the ban stems from an incident in November when Drake made critical remarks about former Raptors player DeMar DeRozan. During a live TV broadcast of a Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings game, Drake called DeRozan a “goof” and jokingly threatened to pull down a DeRozan banner if one was ever put up in the Raptors arena.
The tension between the two is believed to be connected to DeRozan’s public support for Kendrick Lamar, especially after Kendrick’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which included shots aimed at Drake. DeRozan had appeared on stage at Kendrick’s ‘Pop Out’ concert and in the music video for the diss track, angering the OVO rapper.DeRozan later explained his loyalty to Kendrick, noting that while he loves both K.Dot and Drake, his allegiance to his hometown of Compton comes first. He also mentioned that he and Drake hadn’t spoken since the feud started earlier that year.
As for Drake, he seems unbothered by the ban, keeping his sense of humor while acknowledging that it was “good while it lasted” and expressing optimism for a future return to the commentary booth. -
Drake Withdraws Legal Action Against Universal Music Group and Spotify Over ‘Not Like Us’ Scheme Allegations
Drizzy drops the petition after ongoing legal drama surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track
Surprisingly, Drake officially withdrew legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. The Toronto rapper and his company, Frozen Moments, filed paperwork on January 14, 2025, informing the New York court that they were no longer pursuing the legal battle, which sought information for a potential future lawsuit over the alleged artificial inflation of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.
The legal documents, viewed by HipHopDX, revealed that Drake met with UMG and Spotify representatives on the same day the filing was made, and both companies expressed no objection to the withdrawal. While Spotify responded affirmatively, UMG “reserved its position,” meaning they did not give a direct response to the withdrawal. The action was terminated without any costs to either party.
This development follows Drake’s initial accusations last November, in which he alleged that UMG, the parent company of both his and Kendrick Lamar’s record labels, used illegal streaming bots and payola tactics to artificially boost Not Like Us’s popularity. Drake claimed these tactics were intended to undermine his brand and favor Kendrick’s chart-topping diss track.
While the petition was not a formal lawsuit, but rather a pre-action filing to explore the viability of a potential lawsuit, the music giants have strongly denied any wrongdoing. UMG responded to the claims by asserting that it employs only ethical practices in its marketing and promotional campaigns. Spotify echoed this sentiment, claiming no illicit arrangements or deceptive practices were involved in the promotion of the track.
Despite withdrawing the petition, another similar case is still active. Drake has also filed a petition against UMG and iHeartMedia in Texas, raising similar payola allegations concerning Not Like Us. A court hearing for that case is scheduled for January 28, 2025, unless there is a settlement or withdrawal before then.
Drake has not publicly addressed his decision to withdraw the petition against UMG and Spotify, and Kendrick Lamar has not commented on the ongoing legal disputes. -
Drake Ignores Wack 100’s Warning, Seen with Top5 at Toronto Raptors Game
Drizzy spends time with controversial rapper despite legal risks
Drake has seemingly ignored Wack 100’s stark warning to distance himself from controversial rapper Top5, as the two were spotted together at a Toronto Raptors game on January 13. Top5, who recently beat a murder case with Drake’s help, shared a video on Instagram of himself and the 6 God walking to their seats during the Raptors’ 104-101 win over the Golden State Warriors. The 25-year-old rapper captioned the post, “Me & twin @champagnepapi,” highlighting their close bond.
This public outing comes shortly after Wack 100, a veteran music manager, publicly warned Drake to stay away from Top5. Speaking on No Jumper, Wack 100 raised concerns about Top5’s behavior, implying he possessed incriminating evidence against the rapper. He even showed a USB drive on camera, claiming, “This is how much respect I got for you, Drake. No troll, on Piru, you need to get away from that dude.”
Wack 100 further explained, “That dude, with his mouth and the things he says, it does not support your career. I’m telling you as a brother … get the f**k away from Top5.” He stressed that Top5’s reckless actions could eventually land Drake in trouble, warning that the rapper’s actions could get him “hemmed up, caught up and cuffed up.”
Top5, whose real name is Hassan Ali, made headlines after he was released from jail in September following the dismissal of charges in a first-degree murder case related to the shooting death of 20-year-old college student Hashim Omar Hashi. The case was dropped after various pieces of evidence were ruled inadmissible. It was later revealed that Drake had helped pay Top5’s legal fees, a gesture that Top5 openly acknowledged on Instagram before editing any mention of the 6 God.Since his release, Top5 has been fiercely loyal to Drake, even supporting him in his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar. This loyalty has manifested in threats against the Compton rapper, including a violent message threatening to shoot Kendrick.
Despite the warnings from Wack 100 and others, Drake appears undeterred in his association with Top5, raising questions about the potential risks to his reputation and safety.