The head of Drake’s management label has denied allegations that the rapper colluded with Kendrick Lamar to defame him through the song “Not Like Us”, saying the claims are baseless.
As U.S. courts continue to review the lawsuit filed by Canadian rapper Drake against his label Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly facilitating his defamation through Lamar’s hit song, UMG’s CEO Lucian Grainge issued a strong statement rejecting the accusations, calling them “false and unfounded.”
Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, filed the lawsuit in January 2025, claiming that UMG spread damaging rumors portraying him as a predator who sexually exploits underage girls allegations Lamar amplified in “Not Like Us” during their heated lyrical feud.According to Drake, UMG and its CEO Lucian Grainge supported the distribution of the song through secretive means, including lowering licensing costs to make it easier to use, and paying social media platforms to promote and amplify its reach.
In a written statement to a New York court, Grainge distanced himself from the accusations, stressing that he had never even heard the song before its release.He stated: “I want to make it clear that I never heard or saw Not Like Us before its release. What Drake is claiming is completely untrue and makes no sense.”
Drake is demanding that UMG terminate its partnership with Kendrick Lamar and disclose more details about the allegations of misconduct raised in the track, particularly in its first verse.Grainge, however, countered that Drake is simply using the lawsuit as a publicity stunt and as a way to pressure UMG into giving him excessive benefits in their upcoming contract negotiations by falsely claiming his reputation was damaged.
He further emphasized that such involvement would be impossible for a global company like UMG, which manages thousands of artists and releases hundreds of projects annually.Grainge added: “UMG invested $400 million in a contract with Drake. It is absurd to suggest that I would want to tarnish the reputation of an artist we have such a costly deal with.”
In short, UMG insists it played no role in the creation or promotion of Not Like Us and accuses Drake of using the courts and media for his personal interests rather than seeking the truth.source Umunsi.com