Drake Expands Lawsuit Against UMG, Citing Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Performance

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Drake has expanded his lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), citing Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance as a new instance of alleged defamation. The updated legal filing claims the performance “further solidified the public’s belief” in accusations made in Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track Not Like Us, particularly referencing the line, “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young,” which Lamar delivered while locking eyes with the camera in a viral moment.

Though Lamar omitted the track’s more inflammatory phrase “certified paedophile” during the show, Drake’s team argues the intent and implication remained clear to viewers. According to the lawsuit, both the Super Bowl and the release of Not Like Us contributed to an increase in online threats against Drake and his family.

Originally filed in January 2025, the lawsuit accuses UMG of “approving, publishing, and launching” a campaign around the track, which Drake claims spread “false factual allegations” suggesting he is a criminal. UMG has dismissed the lawsuit as “utterly without merit” and called the latest amendment “absurd,” while reaffirming their 16-year relationship with Drake.

Drake recently gained access to internal UMG documents via court-approved discovery, a small but significant win in the legal battle. However, the label noted that discovery works both ways: “As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’”

Meanwhile, the public feud between Drake and Lamar continues to dominate both headlines and charts. Lamar’s latest hit Luther featuring SZA remains at No. 1 in the U.S., while Drake’s Nokia trails closely behind at No. 2.

Adding a layer of viral intrigue, Serena Williams — a rumored former flame of Drake’s — appeared onstage during the Super Bowl performance, sparking speculation that she was mocking the rapper. Williams later denied any such intent in an interview with Time: “Absolutely not … I would never do that. That was sad that anyone would ever think that.”