Drake has slapped Universal Music Group (UMG) with a lawsuit, claiming that the promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s fiery diss track “Not Like Us” has put his family in the crosshairs. The Toronto-born rap superstar alleges that the track’s release led to a string of alarming incidents, including a chilling attack on his home that forced him to withdraw his seven-year-old son, Adonis, from school.
Drake’s legal salvo, filed on January 15, 2025, spans 81 pages and lays bare a harrowing narrative. The suit claims UMG’s aggressive marketing of Lamar’s scathing track, which throws heavy lyrical punches at Drake, incited threats and violence, culminating in a terrifying assault on the rapper’s Toronto residence. The lawsuit describes a late-night attack where armed assailants reportedly opened fire, leaving a security guard injured. “Blood was everywhere,” the document grimly notes, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Amidst the escalating threats, Drake took the drastic step of pulling Adonis from school, citing explicit threats against his son on social media. The lawsuit highlights the relentless online harassment and mounting safety fears that drove Drake to relocate his family for their protection.
In a poignant reflection of the personal toll, Drake’s lawsuit conveys the heartache behind his decision.
“With the palpable physical threat to Drake’s safety and the bombardment of online harassment, Drake fears for the safety and security of himself, his family, and his friends,”
The suit reads. For a man who’s built an empire while fiercely shielding his family from the public eye, the move marks a significant and sobering turn.
UMG, however, has swiftly dismissed the claims as “baseless,” asserting that the notion of endangering one of their top-tier artists is “illogical.” The label, which has long stood by Drake through his meteoric rise, framed the lawsuit as a regrettable misunderstanding.
UMG also pointed to the culture of rap battles, a realm where both Drake and Kendrick Lamar have thrived. They warned that this legal tussle could set a dangerous precedent, potentially stifling the creative freedom that’s the lifeblood of hip-hop.
“Not Like Us,” the latest volley in the ongoing rivalry between Drake and Lamar, is seen as a powerful artistic statement, steeped in the braggadocio and competitive spirit of rap. But for Drake, the track’s impact transcends the studio, spilling into real-life consequences that he argues can’t be ignored.
Drake’s legal team isn’t targeting Lamar directly but is holding UMG accountable for what they see as reckless promotion of content that’s sparked real-world danger. The lawsuit calls into question the fine line between artistic expression and personal safety, especially in a genre where diss tracks are part of the culture.
This unfolding drama puts the spotlight on the complex intersection of art and life in hip-hop. Diss tracks have long been a cornerstone of the genre, but when the stakes hit home, the risks become all too real. For Drake, safeguarding his family takes precedence, even if it means stepping away from his beloved Toronto and challenging a powerhouse label like UMG in court.