Drake is getting ready to make some serious changes in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over their handling of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” — at least according to UMG’s attorney.
In a letter to the court filed on Friday (February 21), UMG lawyer Rollin A. Ransom asks for a pretrial conference currently scheduled for April 2 to be delayed so that the court would have time to consider Universal’s motion to dismiss the case entirely, which the company has to file on or before March 17.
While discussing that, Ransom notes that the specifics of the case itself are in flux.
“[P]ursuant to separate correspondence, Plaintiff has agreed to withdraw certain key allegations in his complaint,” he writes.
Ransom’s letter does not give any details about what those “certain key allegations” are.
Drizzy filed his complaint last month in New York federal court accusing the music giant — the parent company of his and Kendrick’s respective record labels — of defamation and harassment.
In the suit, which has been viewed by HipHopDX, the Toronto rap star condemns UMG for having “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.”
He repeats previous claims that the company used “unlawful” methods to turn “Not Like Us” into a global hit, including secretly paying for fake streams and radio play.
The motive for this, he says, was financial. Not only would the song generate massive amounts of money through streams and sales, but UMG knew its “dangerous” content would “devalue Drake’s music and brand” and give them an advantage when it came time to renegotiate his contract.
“UMG anticipated that extending Drake’s contract would be costly,” the lawsuit reads. “By devaluing Drake’s music and brand, UMG would gain leverage to force Drake to sign a new deal on terms more favorable to UMG.”
Supporting his claim of defamation, the complaint includes numerous examples of the “avalanche of online hate speech” that has “branded Drake a sex offender and pedophile.”
It also cites a shooting at the rapper’s Toronto home shortly after the release of “Not Like Us” which injured a security guard, as well as multiple trespassing incidents. According to Drake, UMG is to blame.
He even claims that this pattern of “violence and vitriol” has left him “fear[ing] for the safety and security of himself, his family, and his friends.”
“After the attacks on his home, Drake pulled his son out of the elementary school he attended in Toronto due to safety concerns, and once school ended for the summer, Drake arranged for his son and mother to leave Toronto entirely,” the lawsuit reads. “Day to day, Drake continues to take steps to address persistent threats to his security.”
Drizzy claims that he confronted UMG about the release and promotion of “Not Like Us,” as well as the “tangible harm” that he has faced as a result of the song, but the company did nothing.
Bitch ass motherfvcker kept begging for Kendrick to respond and then once he got obliterated he sues because he’s sensitive and can’t take it. What part of the game is that? If that’s the case then every time a kids gets joked on and make fun of at school by other students who are just saying it in a playful manner should now sue too. Absolutely pathetic. Be a man and admit defeat and move on like a normal adult but no you have to act like a bitch. If this is the future of hip hop then it’s doomed. If you’re a fan of this guy, I feel sorry for you for being immature and refusing to accept the reality.
The lawsuit is aimed at UMG, not Kendrick because dematory statements in the songs have damaged his reputation. Get your facts straight. There are certain things said in nearly every diss song that do not damage an artist rep. But pdf allegations are different.
Bitch made n***** and pedophiles seem to stick together it seems. It explains why you’re defending a pedophile. Regardless of what you say or think, you’re still defending him. You’re sick
There is no culture in which damaging a person’s life with pedo lies is right. Only black people do this shit to each other. It is time for a change.
It’s not lies when there’s plenty of visual evidence and the fact that he’s literally surrounded by pedophiles. Stop with the race baiting. That’s what feeble minded people do whenever they have no rational excuse for their argument. Drake has a proven history of engaging in relationships with young girls. Millie Bobby Brown wasn’t even an adult when he was talking to her. He’s also kept interacting with underage girls and only publicly acknowledged their relationship once they turned 18 only to dump them for another girl.
greg greg is that you? Defending your man again. Give it up, Drake isn’t going to fuck you.
There’s a huge fvcking difference between being a fan of Drake’s music and being a fan of Drake himself.
Baby crying to his mommy when the kid he was bullying beat the shit out of him in front of all his friends. Most pathetic piece of shit in hip hop history. Can’t wait for him to lose this lawsuit so his fans can finally shut the fuck up and realize what an insecure culture vulture simp loser this Canadian douche bag really is.
Drake is gay and still a crybaby karen
Drake fans are losing their shit right now 😆
the day he loses this lawsuit is hilarious
would rather not have Nas’ album “hip hop is dead” age well if he did win
stupid canadian tryna violate every american’s freedom of speech
Why do people like Drake? He’s fake.
The elite want to force him our throats and want us to believe his rubbish music is real rap. Drake is the male Iggy Azalea. Drake is a privileged J🇮🇱w from Degrassi who never lived that street life.
Go back to acting and stop rapping, Drake. You are not hood enough to be a rapper. You are too old to be pretending to be from the hood. You are a rich white passing J✡️w from the suburbs of Canada.
What do u mean go back 2 acting. He never stopped. Playing “gangsta rapper” is just his longest role ever
Drake is a rich pale J✡️wish Canadian who thinks he is a dark skinned hood Black thug from Compton or Atlanta. 😂
Drake thinks he’s a Crip or Blood from Compton.
Fuck Drake and fuck Canadian rappers.
pedophiles in drakes house having sex with children……… Where are the police why not any investigation if this is supposedly true
Cuz they’re paid good money not to and also most likely PDFs too
Financially speaking that makes no sense. If both artist are signed under the same label . why would they only choose to promote only one artist when they could they could promote both by fanning the flames on both sides. watch the beef escalate from the sideline and watch the money pour in from both sides. “ DRAKE IZ U A DUMMYYy!!!! Why make single money when there is double money to be made.” (In John Witherspoon voice)
Cuz Drake is angry that Kendrick is taking away from his dildo money
Kendrick lost all my respect with the pedophile line, and for a few years of my life he was all i listened to. But now he thinks he’s some demigod because his music is the background noise through some of the rough scenes in people’s lifetime movie. If I’m Drake, I’m absolutely suing for the reasons described. And I’m, quite frankly, willing to take less money to ensure I don’t help UMG make another dollar.
JH, you couldn’t make it less obvious you’re white.
Yall wanna take everything we have and then try to censor us. Drake quite basically asked to be called a pedophile on Taylor Made. Not Like Us was entirely his fault.
Anybody who’s pro-censorship is dead to me