Super Bowl Performance Sparks Further Legal Action

Drake has intensified his legal dispute with Worldwide Music Group (UMG), alleging defamation stemming from Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” particularly during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The amended lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, now incorporates the Super Bowl performance as a key element in Drake’s claims against UMG.

The lawsuit emphasizes the unprecedented reach of the Super bowl halftime show, stating that the recording was made during the 2025 Super Bowl and was transmitted to the largest audience of a part -time show of the Super Bowl ever seen, more then 133 million people, including millions of children, and millions more than ever before they had heard the song or any of the songs that preceded it. Drake’s legal team argues that this widespread exposure amplified the alleged defamatory impact of the song.

Defamation Claims Center on “Pedophilia” Accusations

At the heart of Drake’s lawsuit are accusations of pedophilia leveled against him in Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” While Lamar omitted the explicit word “pedophile” during the Super Bowl performance, Drake’s legal team contends that the omission itself underscored the defamatory nature of the song. The lawsuit suggests that almost everyone understands that it is indeed defamatory.

drake’s legal team further alleges that UMG strategically leveraged its financial resources and commercial relationships to secure Lamar’s Super Bowl performance and actively promoted it, thereby exacerbating the damage to Drake’s reputation.This claim suggests a purposeful effort on UMG’s part to harm Drake’s image.

UMG Responds: “Absurd Legal Step”

In response to the amended lawsuit, Universal Music Group has vehemently denied Drake’s accusations. The company issued a statement asserting that Drake, unquestionably one of the artists with the greatest achievements in the world and with whom we have enjoyed a successful 16 -year relationship, is being deceived by its legal representatives to take an absurd legal step after another. It is shameful that these nonsense and legal frivolities continue. UMG maintains that Drake’s claims are baseless and represent an unwarranted attack on the company.

Grammy Awards Performance Adds Fuel to the Fire

The amended lawsuit also highlights the performance of “Not Like Us” at the Grammy Awards in February, where the song garnered five awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Drake’s legal team argues that UMG facilitated the Grammy nominations and allowed the song to be played at the ceremony, further contributing to the dissemination of the alleged defamatory content.

Consequences of the Feud: Violence and Online Harassment

Drake’s initial lawsuit, filed in January, details the alleged consequences of the “Not Like Us” controversy, including a shooting at his Toronto home, online harassment, and damage to his reputation. The amended lawsuit adds further evidence of online comments indicating that people believe the pedophilia accusations. These incidents underscore the real-world impact of the ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar.

A Hip-Hop rivalry Years in the Making

The feud between Drake, 38, and Lamar, 37, has been simmering for years, evolving into one of the most critically important rivalries in recent hip-hop history. While the two artists collaborated in the past, tensions escalated in 2013 with Lamar’s public attacks on Drake. The release of diss tracks, including “Not Like Us,” further intensified the conflict.

The lyrics of “Not Like Us” directly target Drake, with lines such as:

Say, Drake, I Hear You Like ‘Em Young / You Better Not Ever Go To Cell Block One

UMG’s Defense: Drake Provoked the Conflict

In its motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Universal Music Group argues that Drake himself contributed to the feud through his own diss tracks aimed at Lamar. UMG contends that Drake lost a rap battle that he caused and in which he participated voluntarily. The company suggests that Drake’s lawsuit is a misguided attempt to salvage his reputation after suffering a defeat in the public arena.