Drake Amends Complaint Against UMG, Says Kendrick Lamar Censoring ‘Not Like Us’ Performance At Super Bowl Backs His Defamation Claims

Drake, Kendrick Lamar

Drake Amends Complaint Against UMG, Says Kendrick Lamar Censoring ‘Not Like Us’ Performance At Super Bowl Backs His Defamation Claims

Drake isn’t backing down in his legal battle with Universal Music Group.

In a newly filed amended complaint, Drake’s team points to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, calling it “the first, and will hopefully be the last, Super Bowl halftime show orchestrated to assassinate the character of another artist.”

They argue that Kendrick Lamar omitted the word “pedoph*le” during the performance because “nearly everyone understands that it is defamatory to falsely brand someone a ‘certified pedoph*le.’”

The complaint also takes issue with the song’s presence at the Grammys, where it won Song and Record of the Year and was played during the telecast—something they say wouldn’t have happened without UMG’s consent.

Drake’s attorney told Variety,

“Drake’s amended complaint makes an already strong case stronger… Drake will expose the evidence of UMG’s misconduct.”

UMG responded:

“Drake… is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another… It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue.”

Drake first sued in January, claiming UMG “approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track that falsely accuses Drake of being a pedoph*le.” UMG called the suit a tantrum over a rap battle loss.

We’ll see where this lands! Share your thoughts below. 

????: @hausofaaron