Latest news with #NotLikeUs'
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Take The Stand! UMG Wants To Subpoena Drake & Kendrick Lamar In ‘Not Like Us' Lawsuit
The civil lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) is underway, with both sides now submitting lists of potential witnesses. In a move that's raising eyebrows across the industry, UMG has notably called for both Drake and his most recent rival, Kendrick Lamar, to testify in court during Drizzy's 'Not Like Us' civil lawsuit. Source: Mark Blinch/MICHAEL TRAN / Getty Drake initially filed his lawsuit against UMG in January 2025, accusing the music giant of knowingly defaming him. His complaint centers on Kendrick Lamar's hit diss track, 'Not Like Us,' which famously refers to Drake as a 'child predator.' Drake alleges that UMG not only distributed this song but also promoted it through 'illegal means.' UMG, for its part, has vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the notion they would 'seek to harm the reputation of any artist — let alone Drake — is illogical.' They have also been actively pushing for the judge to dismiss the case entirely. Despite their efforts, the lawsuit continues to move forward. 'Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated,' UMG's lawyers write in the filing. 'Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds.' The legal chess match intensified on Monday, July 14. According to XXL Mag , both sides presented their lists of individuals who could potentially be subpoenaed to testify. Drake's legal team submitted a sprawling list of 63 individuals and entities, signaling a wide-ranging inquiry into how 'Not Like Us' gained traction and its impact. Drake's extensive list of potential witnesses includes the rapper himself, as well as top industry executives such as UMG CEO Lucian Grange, Interscope marketing president Steve Berman, and Republic Records CEO Monte Lipman. His legal team is also seeking information from major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, YouTube, SoundCloud, and TikTok. Furthermore, entities connected to Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance, such as the NFL and Roc Nation, are also on Drake's radar. Drake's lawyers are seemingly aiming to uncover any alleged 'covert tactics to promote the Defamatory Material.' Notably, Drake's team has listed Kojo Menne Asamoah, whom they claim used such tactics, but they have been unable to locate or serve him despite hiring private investigators. In stark contrast to Drake's extensive list, UMG has filed a considerably shorter list containing just nine names. However, the inclusion of two specific names on UMG's list has captured everyone's attention: Drake himself and Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick Lamar's manager, Anthony Saleh, is also named. This move is particularly significant because Lamar is not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. UMG's lawyers argue that Lamar 'is likely to have discoverable information concerning the creation of the recording, image, and video and the distribution and promotion of the recording and video.' The legal teams' strategies hint at a high-stakes courtroom showdown. While Drake claims the lawsuit is about UMG profiting from 'dangerous misinformation' and 'artificially inflat[ing]' the song's popularity, UMG maintains Drake is simply 'weaponiz[ing] the legal process to silence an artist's creative expression' after 'losing a rap battle.' The post Take The Stand! UMG Wants To Subpoena Drake & Kendrick Lamar In 'Not Like Us' Lawsuit appeared first on Bossip. SEE ALSO Take The Stand! UMG Wants To Subpoena Drake & Kendrick Lamar In 'Not Like Us' Lawsuit was originally published on
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Kojo Menne Asamoah named in Drake's lawsuit over alleged bot use in Kendrick Lamar streaming case
Kojo Menne Asamoah has been named by Drake's legal team as a central figure in an ongoing lawsuit related to Kendrick Lamar's streaming performance. According to Billboard, the rapper's legal representatives believe Asamoah played a key role in artificially boosting streams for Lamar's hit track 'Not Like Us' by allegedly deploying bots and other covert tactics. While Asamoah's background remains largely unknown, online speculation suggests he may have ties to digital marketing or the music promotion industry. There is no confirmed connection between Asamoah and Kendrick Lamar, but Drake's legal team asserts that he holds critical information and documents relevant to their claim that Universal Music Group (UMG) engaged in deceptive business practices. Filed on June 4 and made public on July 14, the complaint alleges violations of New York General Business Law. Despite hiring two private investigators and spending over $75,000 in the effort, Drake's team has reportedly been unable to successfully serve Asamoah with a subpoena, according to sources like @Kurrco and @OVODocket on X (formerly Twitter). The broader lawsuit names 63 individuals and focuses primarily on UMG and its executives, including CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Republic Records co-founders Avery and Monte Lipman, and others. Kendrick Lamar himself has not been directly named in the defamation case. While it remains uncertain whether Kojo Menne Asamoah will be compelled to testify, he is considered a key witness who may possess vital evidence. Though neither Drake nor Lamar has publicly commented or appeared in court, Asamoah's potential involvement could prove significant as the case develops.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drake-UMG Court Hearing Dives Into Context And Success Of Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'
In the court of public opinion, Drake is viewed as disrespecting the essence of Hip-Hop by suing Universal Music Group for defamation by publishing and promoting Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us.' In an actual court hearing this past week, the judge examined both sides' arguments, which yielded a few humorous moments. UMG is looking to get the case dismissed, which prompted the hearing between the Toronto rapper's legal team and the label's representatives on Monday (June 30). Drizzy's side called the content slanderous and claims the massive promotional efforts, including the Super Bowl, were intentionally done to lower his value and assassinate his character. UMG argues that the song was hyperbolic, much like many diss songs throughout Hip-Hop history. At one point in the hearing, they were discussing the 'Certified pedophile' line. UMG's lawyer, Rollin Ransom, reduced it to a play on the 6 God's 2021 album title Certified Lover Boy, and Judge Jeannette Vargas asked if the average listener would understand the wordplay or simply see it as an accusation. UMG's side admitted that the context had to do with rumors of the multi-time Grammy winner having inappropriate relationships with underage women. Michael Gottlieb, Drake's lawyer, brought up how UMG made the record 'more culturally ubiquitous than any other,' citing its 9 billion streams and the fact that it has played at bar mitzvahs. Judge Vargas called any bar mitzvah that would play the song 'interesting,' causing people in the courtroom to laugh. Gottlieb also mentioned how the 'Not Like Us' cover art was an image of the father of one's home with sex offender location tags. Judge Vargas countered by bringing up how Drake suggested that Lamar's kids were not his. As for botting, Gottlieb alleged that 10% of the streams for 'Not Like Us' are false, citing a popular podcaster who accused them of using bots. He also mentioned their other alleged efforts to increase the visibility of the song, such as whitelisting, tampered search results, and payola. Judge Vargas was curious about how botting can be damaging, to which Gottlieb said that every other artist on the platform is 'injured' in the form of lower compensation. A spokesperson for Drake shared the following statement with VIBE following the hearing. 'UMG is desperate to see this case not move forward because the company can't hide its misconduct in a courtroom the way it does in the boardroom,' they wrote. 'Soon, in addition to facing concerned regulators and investors, the leadership of music's most powerful label will have to answer for the damage it has caused to every artist that has been silenced, exploited, endangered or discarded.' K. Dot's 'Not Like Us' remained on the Hot 100 for over a full year, won him five GRAMMYs at this year's show, and was performed at the Super Bowl. In one of the most viral moments, he looked directly into the camera and grinned when rapping the 'Say Drake, I hear you like 'em young' line. More from Drake Has The Most Songs On Apple Music's 10th Anniversary Chart Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' Makes History As Longest-Running No. 1 Album On Billboard Top Rap Albums Chart Chris Brown Labels T-Pain "One Of The Goats" In "Random" Social Media Post
Hypebeast
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" Is the Fastest Rap Song of the Decade To Be Eligible for a Diamond Certification
Summary Kendrick Lamarhas set yet another record as'Not Like Us'officially becomes eligible for a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). TheDrake-aimed diss track is now the fastest rap song of the decade to sell more than 10 million units in the United States. While the RIAA has yet to certify the song, the new record set by Dot arrives after a slew of achievements. In the last two weeks, his andSZA's ongoing 'Grand National Tour' became thehighest-grossing joint tourin history,GNXbecame thelongest-running No. 1on the Top Rap Albums chart and'luther'became thelongest-running No. 1on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Earlier this May, 'Not Like Us' was named thelongest-charting rap songon the Billboard Hot 100. Upon its release in mid-2024, it also became the fastest song to hit300 million streams on Spotify.
Black America Web
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
A Kendrick Lamar Class Will Be Offered At Temple University This Fall
Source: PA Wire – PA Images / Getty This fall, you can get some class credit for your obsession with Kendrick Lamar. Well, only if you are enrolled at Temple University in Philly, where noted professor Timothy Welbeck will teach an inaugural class on the 'Not Like Us' rapper. Welbeck is a professor in Temple's Department of Africology and African American Studies and the Director for the Center for Anti-Racism, who has taught at the school for 14 years. The course will be called Kendrick Lamar and the Morale of M.A.A.D City , referencing a track from Lamar's 2012 sophomore release Good Kid, M.A.A.D City . The professor told NBC10 in Philadelphia that he's been using Lamar's music in his classes for at least the last decade and that the department was receptive to the idea of a class on the Los Angeles-based rap star. He won't be the first musician the university has offered a class on, as Jay-Z, his wife Beyoncé, and Tupac have all been studied there as well. 'My current department chair was very open to the idea and received it almost immediately,' Welbeck told the outlet. 'In a lot of ways, our department at Temple specifically, and Temple more broadly, has embraced the study of hip-hop in academic spaces.' Lamar, 38, created a viral sensation in 2024 with his Drake diss track 'Not Like Us,' which he performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February. He's the only rap star to win a Pulitzer Prize, which he did in 2018. He's also won 22 Grammys, placing him third behind Jay-Z and Kanye West. Lamar is currently on the international leg of his Grand National Tour with SZA in support of his sixth studio album, GNX. Welbeck says the class will cover Lamar's music through the lens of the changing demographics in Compton, California, and its impact on Lamar's life and career. He hopes his students will come away from the course with a renewed appreciation for the artist and how he fits into the Black cultural zeitgeist. 'Kendrick Lamar is one of the defining voices of his generation, and in many ways, both his art and life is reflective of the Black experience in many telling ways,' Welbeck said. 'Being able to discuss his art in the environment that helps lead him into being the man that he is in a lot of ways can tell you about him as an individual, but can also talk about the journey towards self-actualization, particularly as it is related to the Black experience.' SEE ALSO A Kendrick Lamar Class Will Be Offered At Temple University This Fall was originally published on
