In a surprising legal development, global hip-hop star Drake has expanded his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), citing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 2025 halftime show as a key element of the ongoing conflict. The amended complaint points to Lamar’s performance of the chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us” during the event, which, despite being modified for live TV, still carried what Drake claims were defamatory implications.
Although the controversial word “pedophile” was notably omitted in the live performance, the original lyrics and the song’s widespread exposure—especially at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where it won both Song of the Year and Record of the Year—remain central to Drake’s claims. He argues that UMG promoted and orchestrated these high-visibility moments to intentionally damage his public image while boosting Lamar’s career.
Drake further links the fallout from the song to real-life consequences, including a shooting and multiple break-ins at his Toronto residence, as well as online harassment and trolling across social media platforms.
In response, UMG has strongly rejected the lawsuit’s claims, labeling them “entirely without merit.” The company asserts that Drake’s legal action stems from frustration over losing a high-profile rap feud in the public eye.
The lawsuit adds a new layer of complexity to an already dramatic saga between two of hip-hop’s biggest figures, raising important questions about artistic freedom, corporate influence, and accountability in the music industry.
