UMG responds to Drake's 'illogical' lawsuit for 'not like us'

Universal Music Group is not shy about responding to Drake's lawsuit against them.

Source: Prince Williams/Getty

After withdrawing his petition against Universal Music Group on Tuesday, January 14, Drake came back with a vengeance the next day, suing his label for defamation and harassment on Wednesday. The rapper accuses UMG of spreading the “false and malicious narrative” that he is a pedophile by distributing Kendrick Lamar's dissident track, “Not Like Us,” according to the lawsuit, via Variety.

In his complaint, the Canadian rapper claims that UMG knew that the lyrics and images of Lamar in the song's music video were false and dangerous and that it “chose corporate greed over safety and well-being of its artists.”

“UMG saw an opportunity, seized it and continued to fan the flames,” the suit continues.

Now, Universal is responding to Drake's allegations, highlighting how “illogical” it would be to deliberately defame its own artist.

“Not only are these claims false, but the idea that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist – let alone Drake – is illogical,” a UMG spokesperson said, according to Variety. “We have invested heavily in his music and our employees around the world have worked tirelessly for many years to help him achieve historic commercial and personal financial success.”

The label went on to point out that it has helped Drake release his breakaway tracks in the past, saying the Toronto native “intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry in order to launch out- conventionally scandalous returns”. rap battles' to express his feelings towards other artists.

But now that the tables have turned against him, he “seeks to use the legal process as a weapon to silence an artist's creative expression and to seek damages from UMG for distributing that artist's music.” artist “.

“We have not and do not engage in defamation – against anyone,” the statement continued. “At the same time, we will vigorously defend this litigation to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artist who may directly or indirectly become the target of frivolous litigation for doing nothing more than writing a song .”

Universal Music Group has distributed the music of Kendrick Lamar and Drake for most of their careers. Drake's lawsuit claims that because his current deal with UMG is nearing the end of its term, the company is attempting to devalue his music to obtain more favorable terms during a renegotiation.

While the Los Angeles native's words are heavily emphasized in the complaint, This does not place the blame on Kendrick but on Universal for the release, distribution and promotion of the song.

“This lawsuit is not about the artist who created 'Not Like Us,'” the lawsuit emphasizes. “Rather, this is entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit and monetize claims that it understood to be not only false but dangerous. »