Rap beef can be very entertaining for music lovers. Watching professionals throw insults and accusations back and forth in lyrical form can be a very engaging experience. In early 2024, rap fans reveled in the dispute between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Both musicians released a series of escalating diss tracks about one another.
The confrontation culminated in Kendrick Lamar releasing “Not Like Us.” In that song, he references Drake’s alleged inappropriate conduct toward teenagers and young fans. The song went viral, and it proceeded to top the charts. Its fame arguably culminated in a performance at the Super Bowl where the entire audience seemingly sang along to the lyrics. Even before the Super Bowl performance, Drake had decided to take legal action. He initiated a lawsuit. Instead of suing Kendrick Lamar, he sued the record label that signed them both.
Why did he make that decision?
Entertainment law is relatively complex
Celebrities generally have to accept a degree of gossip and speculation about their professional ambitions and personal lives. It is one of the costs of being in the public eye. Celebrities often struggle to fight back against tabloid journalism and online gossip. For the most part, established celebrities simply ignore rumors that circulate about them.
Historically, rappers have made very hostile and exaggerated claims against one another during a rap beef. As such, suing Kendrick Lamar directly could further damage Drake’s reputation and career. While it is impossible to know the true motivation behind legal decisions unless people discuss them publicly, it is easy to recognize why Drake sued the label. Proving defamation could be an uphill battle. Proving questionable marketing practices and contract violations might be easier.
The label has a contractual obligation to promote and support both artists. The assertion is that by actively marketing and promoting a song that included allegedly defamatory statements, the label unfairly damaged Drake’s career to help grow Kendrick Lamar’s. Additionally, the lawsuit doesn’t simply discuss issues about the lyrics in the song that Drake may consider defamatory.
It also focuses on the marketing strategy used, which included streaming bots intended to create a false impression of the song’s popularity early after its release. Professionals working in the entertainment industry often need help when they face conflicts that could damage their reputations or affect their career prospects.
Reviewing contracts and disputes in depth with a skilled legal team can give entertainment professionals more insight into their options. Pursuing contract-related litigation is often one of the best options available for frustrated professional entertainers.