By Samuel A. Lopez - USA Herald

Drake has officially settled his dispute with iHeartMedia, but his legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG) is far from over. The Toronto-born rapper remains locked in a high-stakes defamation lawsuit against UMG, accusing the music conglomerate of maliciously spreading false allegations about him to damage his career. The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track Not Like Us, which Drake claims was used as a tool for UMG’s financial gain at his expense.

The Settlement with iHeartMedia

Drake’s attorneys filed court documents on February 27, confirming that an “amicable resolution” had been reached with iHeartMedia. The details of the settlement remain undisclosed, with neither party offering additional comments on the agreement. The legal dispute initially arose in November 2024, when Drake filed a petition in Texas, alleging UMG engaged in “irregular and inappropriate business practices” to get radio airplay for the diss track, and effectively weaponizing the song to tarnish his reputation.

Drake also alleged that UMG knew “the song itself, as well as its accompanying album art and music video, attacked the character of another one of UMG’s most prominent artists, Drake, by falsely accusing him of being a sex offender, engaging in pedophilic acts, harboring sex offenders, and committing other criminal sexual acts.”

While the settlement with iHeartMedia signals the end of one front in Drake’s legal fight, the case against UMG continues to escalate. UMG has since filed a motion to dismiss, with a critical hearing scheduled for March 5 in San Antonio.

Drake’s Ongoing Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG

In January 2025, Drake escalated his legal battle by filing a defamation lawsuit in New York against UMG. The lawsuit alleges that UMG knowingly published and aggressively promoted Not Like Us, despite being aware of its false and inflammatory accusations. The complaint, now unsealed, outlines a disturbing sequence of events that followed the song’s release, including a violent shooting at Drake’s Toronto home, multiple break-in attempts, and a surge in online harassment branding him a pedophile.

The Night of May 7, 2024

The incident that led to this lawsuit occurred in the middle of the night on May 7, 2024, when a group of armed assailants drove up to Drake's Toronto home and opened fire. One bullet struck and wounded a security guard, who was also a friend of Drake. The security guard survived, but the incident left Drake and his family shaken.

The following day, another intruder broke into Drake's property and yelled racist slurs and threats against Drake before being escorted off the property. The next day, another break-in attempt occurred. Drake alleges that these events were a direct result of UMG's actions leading up to and on May 4, 2024.

"Not Like Us"

On May 4, 2024, UMG approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track that falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and calls for violent retribution against him. The song in question, "Not Like Us," was written and performed by Kendrick Lamar. Drake alleges that UMG knew the allegations against him were false but chose to promote the song for financial gain.

The lawsuit also claims that UMG used unlawful tactics to promote the song, including removing copyright restrictions and offering financial incentives to third parties to stream the song. UMG also allegedly used its influence to have the song played at major events, including the Super Bowl.

UMG has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that they will fight the lawsuit vigorously. However, Drake's lawsuit paints a picture of a company that is willing to go to any lengths to make money, even if it means endangering the lives of its artists.

Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s actions went beyond standard music promotion. The lawsuit states that UMG used every resource at its disposal—including social media marketing, strategic radio placements, and licensing deals—to ensure the song went viral. The rapper further alleges that UMG’s executives saw an opportunity to weaken his brand, potentially devaluing his worth ahead of contract renegotiations.

What’s Next?

The upcoming March 5 hearing in San Antonio will be pivotal in determining whether Drake’s lawsuit against UMG proceeds to trial. If the court denies UMG’s motion to dismiss, the case will move into discovery, allowing Drake’s legal team to subpoena internal UMG communications that could further expose the company’s role in amplifying Not Like Us.

Meanwhile, Drake continues to face backlash stemming from the track’s accusations, with online hate campaigns and conspiracy theories persisting. For now, his legal battle against one of the biggest music labels in the world stands as a landmark case—one that could set a precedent for how the music industry navigates the fine line between artistic freedom and reputational harm.

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