Drake adds Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance to his lawsuit against record label

Drake has taken legal action against Universal Music Group, expanding his defamation lawsuit to include allegations that more people were misled into believing he was a pedophile following Kendrick Lamar’s performances of “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl halftime show and Grammy Awards.

In the amended complaint filed against his record label, Drake stated that Lamar’s performances of the hit song introduced millions of new listeners to the track, resulting in increased threats against him and his family. Despite Lamar omitting the word “pedophile” during his Super Bowl performance, Drake believes the insinuation was clear and damaging to his reputation.

Describing the Super Bowl halftime show as an orchestrated attempt to tarnish his character, Drake expressed concern over the impact of the lyrics in “Not Like Us,” specifically the line “Drake, I hear you like ’em young,” which Lamar sang during the performance.

In response to the lawsuit, Universal Music Group dismissed Drake’s accusations as baseless and defended Lamar’s creative expression. The record label emphasized its longstanding relationship with Drake and criticized his legal representatives for pursuing what they deemed as frivolous legal actions.

Drake’s amended lawsuit alleges that Universal Music Group sought to promote Lamar at his expense, orchestrating the performance of “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl to boost profits and undermine Drake’s reputation. The rapper’s lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, vowed to hold UMG accountable for their actions.

The feud between Drake and Lamar dates back several years, with both artists releasing diss tracks aimed at each other. The release of “Not Like Us” came shortly after Drake’s track “Family Matters,” which alluded to Lamar’s personal life and questioned his character.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s song received critical acclaim, winning Grammy Awards and reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, continues to pursue legal action against UMG, alleging defamation and seeking unspecified damages.

In a statement, UMG reiterated its support for Lamar and emphasized the importance of artistic freedom in the music industry. As the legal battle continues, the outcome remains uncertain, with both parties standing firm in their positions.