Rapper Drake has filed a lawsuit against his label, Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the company of defamation and harming his reputation by promoting a diss track that falsely accuses him of being a pedophile. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that UMG used bots and payola to make the song, "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, more popular.

The lawsuit stems from the release of "Not Like Us" in May 2024, which Drake claims UMG approved and launched a campaign to create a viral hit despite knowing the allegations against him were false. The complaint alleges that UMG chose "corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists" by exploiting the song's popularity, which led to a shooting at Drake's home, injuring a security guard, and multiple break-ins in the following days.

Drake's legal team accuses UMG of using bots to drive up listens and views on streaming platforms, as well as paying for promotion on social media. The lawsuit also claims that UMG's actions were motivated by a desire to gain leverage in contract negotiations with both Kendrick Lamar and Drake. According to the lawsuit, UMG wanted to prove its value to Lamar to convince him to sign a longer-term exclusive contract, and to devalue Drake's music and brand to gain an advantage in negotiations for an extension.

The lawsuit follows a petition filed in November, in which Drake accused UMG and Spotify of artificially inflating the success of "Not Like Us" using payola and streaming bots. Although the petition was withdrawn this week, the lawsuit includes similar allegations of "pay-for-play" schemes to get the song played on radio stations and promoted on streaming platforms.

Kendrick Lamar is not named as a defendant in the suit, with Drake's legal team placing the blame solely on UMG for releasing the song despite knowing the allegations were false. The lawsuit emphasizes that Drake is not a pedophile, has never engaged in any criminal acts, and has never been charged or convicted of any wrongdoing.

UMG has not responded to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about the music industry's use of bots and payola to manipulate streaming numbers and charts. As the lawsuit unfolds, it may shed more light on the practices of major labels and their impact on artists and the music industry as a whole.

The lawsuit also raises questions about the responsibility of record labels in promoting and distributing content that may be harmful or defamatory. As the music industry continues to evolve, cases like this may lead to changes in the way labels operate and the measures they take to protect their artists and the public.