Drake ignited a bitter forwards and backwards with Common Music Group after updating his defamation lawsuit towards it to assert that Kendrick Lamar’s high-profile appearances on the Grammys and the Tremendous Bowl function clear proof that the label deliberately sought to “assassinate” his character for monetary achieve.
In an amended grievance filed Wednesday and obtained by HuffPost, the Canadian rapper argued that UMG’s actions for the reason that unique January lawsuit have solely fueled false and dangerous accusations portraying him as a sexual predator.
The lawsuit asserts that by facilitating Lamar’s performances at these “mega-cultural events,” UMG “duped” the general public into believing that Drake was a pedophile, hoping to generate extra consideration and listeners for Lamar’s music.
Cole Burston by way of Getty Pictures
The submitting alleges that UMG turned the February Tremendous Bowl halftime present, one of many world’s most-watched occasions, right into a spectacle designed to break Drake’s fame.
It describes the efficiency as “the first, and will hopefully be the last, Super Bowl halftime show orchestrated to assassinate the character of another artist.”
A key facet of the lawsuit focuses on the omission of the phrase “pedophile” from Lamar’s efficiency of the diss monitor “Not Like Us” through the occasion.
The grievance argues that the absence of another modifications to the music exhibits that the NFL and its broadcasting companions acknowledged the accusation was “unacceptable,” but UMG continued to distribute the uncensored model for its personal profit.
In an announcement to HuffPost, UMG swiftly dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit, and the contemporary allegations, as a misguided, meritless “affront to all artists and creative expression.”
“Drake, unquestionably one of the world’s most accomplished artists with whom we’ve enjoyed a 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into pursuing one absurd legal step after another,” the assertion learn, calling the continued litigation “foolish and frivolous legal theatrics.”
Cooper Neill by way of Getty Pictures
The music large additional asserted that the “reckless lawsuit” had backfired and was itself answerable for vital injury to Drake’s fame and funds.
Relating to a discovery movement granted earlier this month, UMG’s assertion warned: “As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’”
Drake’s authorized staff hit again hours later, telling HuffPost that UMG’s response was “a desperate attempt to spin the narrative and deflect from the truth.”
Flipping UMG’s ominous warning about discovery again on them, Drake’s staff stated they’ve “nothing to hide.”
“It’s not Drake who should worry; it’s UMG’s current leadership,” the assertion added, calling out the corporate’s billionaire CEO and chairman Lucian Grainge and Interscope Information government John Janick.
“UMG drains artists for its profits, then discards them,” they stated of the corporate, which has represented Drake since 2009 however signed Lamar in 2020.
“UMG said, ‘be careful what you ask for,’” the assertion concluded. “Drake knows exactly what he asked for: the truth and accountability.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been up to date with additional remark from Drake’s staff.
