Drake Expands Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over Super Bowl Performance

Drake has filed an expanded defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging the label promoted Kendrick Lamar's track 'Not Like Us' to damage his reputation, particularly through high-profile events like the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the Grammy Awards. The amended complaint claims the Super Bowl performance, watched by over 133 million people, introduced the song’s defamatory lyrics to a wider audience, including children, even though Lamar omitted the word 'pedophile' from the broadcast. Drake argues that the overall message remained harmful and that UMG knowingly supported the performances and promotional efforts despite being aware of the allegations. The lawsuit also cites UMG’s alleged endorsement at the Grammys, where the song won major awards and was broadcast to millions, as well as purported manipulation of streaming numbers. UMG has dismissed Drake’s claims as baseless and accused him of using legal theatrics to recover from a public feud with Lamar. Drake is seeking unspecified damages, asserting that UMG prioritized profit over his reputation and safety.