The Grammy-winning artist had previously issued a warning in November, stating that he would be taking legal action. He filed petitions in New York and Texas accusing Universal Music Group, Spotify, and iHeartRadio of being involved in a “scheme” to promote his song “Not Like Us” on various streaming platforms. The rapper, known for “God’s Plan,” requested that the court compel the companies to provide evidence related to his claims through pre-action discovery in preparation for a lawsuit.
Some key points from Drake’s 80-page lawsuit on January 15 include an incident where a security guard was seriously injured after shots were fired at Drake’s Toronto residence shortly after the release of “Not Like Us.” Drake and others at the house rushed to help the injured guard, whose condition was critical for two days. Following this incident, there were attempted break-ins at the property, prompting Drake to increase security measures and remove his son from school due to safety concerns.
Additionally, Drake alleged that Universal Music sought to diminish the value of his music in order to gain leverage in contract negotiations as his deal with the label was nearing completion. Comparatively, Interscope Records, a subsidiary of UMG, was said to have secured an exclusive licensing agreement with another artist, which Drake’s team believed impacted the handling of his own music and brand value within the label.
The article, which was first published on USA TODAY, delves into a lawsuit involving rapper Drake and his assertions regarding defamation related to the song ‘Not Like Us’.
