Guess somebody on the Recording Academy received the memo. In a shocking transfer, the Recording Academy pulled a clip from the 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony that confirmed the viewers singing alongside to the “A-minor” lyric from Kendrick Lamar’s observe “Not Like Us.” This determination comes after an ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by rapper Drake in opposition to Common Music Group (UMG), which facilities round selling the music. Drake claims the lyrics misrepresented him and are defamatory, complicating an already heated authorized battle.
See, right here’s the factor: The lawsuit doesn’t search to vary the lyric itself however relatively challenges how UMG promoted the music. Drake’s authorized group argues that the corporate acted recklessly by selling the observe with out contemplating the injury it might trigger to his public picture. The core of the lawsuit focuses on allegations that UMG secretly financed radio promotions to spice up the music’s airplay. Drake contends that these efforts performed a big function in spreading the controversial lyrics in a approach that misrepresented his character.
ICYMI, Drake’s skilled attorneys, have been pushing for full transparency from UMG, particularly requesting paperwork about its monetary dealings with radio stations like iHeartMedia. This request goals to uncover whether or not UMG used unlawful techniques, equivalent to “payola,” to inflate the music’s visibility. Payola refers to paying for airplay with out correct disclosure, a critical violation within the music business.
In a latest submitting in a Texas court docket, UMG sought to dismiss Drake’s claims, invoking the Texas Residents Participation Act, arguing that the promotion of “Not Like Us” falls underneath First Modification safety. Nonetheless, Drake’s authorized group has vigorously opposed this declare, arguing that free speech legal guidelines don’t defend UMG’s actions. They insist that the promotional techniques used weren’t merely expressive however have been strategically designed to extend the observe’s publicity, doubtlessly at Drake’s expense.
Take a look at one other layer of complexity to the case. The Federal Communications Fee (FCC) has investigated iHeartMedia’s enterprise practices. The FCC is trying into whether or not the corporate improperly pressured artists to carry out at its nation music pageant for little or no pay, which might violate laws that require broadcasters to reveal funds linked to airplay. This investigation ties on to Drake’s allegations and will considerably strengthen his case in opposition to UMG.
