Drake Expands Lawsuit, Accuses Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Show of Damaging His Reputation
The high-stakes rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has escalated beyond the music scene and into the courtroom. In a dramatic new development, Drake has expanded his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming that Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance was part of a deliberate campaign to destroy his public image.
The focal point of Drake’s accusation is Lamar’s performance of the diss track “Not Like Us” during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. The track, which had already stirred controversy in the rap world due to its lyrical jabs and perceived subliminal shots, took on new weight when broadcast to a global audience of over 100 million viewers. According to court filings, Drake believes the song’s content and the choice to perform it on such a massive stage was “orchestrated to assassinate” his character.
Drake’s legal team argues that Lamar’s performance intensified and spread harmful rumors, particularly online accusations labeling Drake as a pedophile — an allegation he firmly denies. The rapper claims that the lyrics and imagery used in the performance were designed to further a false narrative, causing irreparable harm to his reputation.
In the expanded lawsuit, Drake accuses Universal Music Group of facilitating the performance and turning a blind eye to its potentially defamatory content. He asserts that UMG, as Kendrick Lamar’s music distributor, bears responsibility for allowing a track that could incite real-world consequences to be featured during the world’s biggest televised music stage.
The lawsuit claims that following the Super Bowl, the damage to Drake’s image was immediate and widespread. The rapper reportedly lost endorsements, faced harassment online, and suffered emotional distress as fans and critics speculated about the meaning behind Lamar’s lyrics and performance.
Drake’s legal filing also emphasizes the power of media moments like the Super Bowl in shaping public opinion. He argues that the broadcast turned what might have remained within the realm of hip-hop “diss culture” into a mainstream conversation with real reputational fallout.
Neither Kendrick Lamar nor Universal Music Group has publicly responded to the expanded lawsuit. However, the legal battle is being closely watched by fans, industry insiders, and legal experts alike. It adds a new layer to the already tense relationship between the two rap icons, whose lyrical back-and-forths have captivated audiences for years.
While diss tracks are a long-standing tradition in hip-hop, this case may test the limits of artistic freedom versus defamation — especially when accusations spill over into real-world consequences. As the lawsuit moves forward, the line between music, message, and media manipulation will likely come under intense legal and public scrutiny.
