Canadian rap superstar Drake has decided to drop iHeartMedia from his ongoing legal dispute regarding Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 hit song, Not Like Us. However, his legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG) is far from over.
Drake had initially filed a legal petition in November, accusing iHeartMedia—the parent company of iHeartRadio—of accepting payola from UMG to artificially boost Not Like Us’s radio play. His petition alleged that UMG facilitated the track’s release despite its lyrics containing serious and defamatory accusations against him. These allegations included claims of pedophilia, harboring sex offenders, and other criminal accusations.
Drake and iHeartMedia Reach a Resolution
According to recent filings, Drake’s legal team notified the Bexar County, Texas court on February 26 that iHeartMedia would no longer be a respondent in the case. The rapper and iHeartMedia reportedly reached a settlement that both parties deemed satisfactory.
“In exchange for documents that showed iHeart did nothing wrong, Drake agreed to drop his petition. No payments were made by either one of us,” an iHeartMedia representative confirmed.
While this chapter of the case has closed, Drake’s battle with UMG rages on. The God’s Plan rapper continues to pursue a defamation lawsuit against the music giant, arguing that the label knowingly permitted the release of Not Like Us despite being aware that the allegations in the song were false. UMG, in response, has dismissed Drake’s claims as “offensive and untrue.”
Grammy Wins and Super Bowl Spotlight Amid Controversy
Despite the controversy surrounding Not Like Us, the song has enjoyed massive success. It dominated the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, securing five wins, including the coveted Record of the Year. Kendrick Lamar even performed the track during his Super Bowl LIX halftime show, cementing its place in music history.
As legal tensions between Drake and UMG continue to unfold, the case highlights the ongoing battle between artists and record labels in an era where music disputes are fought not just in the charts but in the courtroom as well.
