Drake has initiated a second legal action against Universal Music Group, accusing the label of defamation and promoting Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us," which allegedly falsely accuses Drake of being a sex offender. This song, released earlier this year, has intensified the long-standing feud between the two rappers. According to Drake's lawyers, Universal Music Group had the opportunity to prevent the song's release but instead "executed a plan" to make it a viral hit, leveraging Lamar's provocative lyrics to stir consumer excitement and generate substantial revenue.

The latest court document, filed in Texas, is a "pre-action petition" aimed at obtaining information from Universal Music Group and iHeartRadio, which operates over 850 radio stations across the United States. Drake's legal team claims that Universal may have made "covert payments" to iHeart as part of a "pay-to-play scheme" to promote Lamar's song. The petition further alleges that Universal used "bots" to artificially inflate Lamar's streaming numbers and paid influencers to promote the song on social media.

Universal Music Group has denied these allegations, labeling them as "offensive and untrue." The company insists that it adheres to the highest ethical standards in its marketing and promotional campaigns. However, Drake's lawyers maintain that Universal's actions are part of a broader scheme to advance Lamar's song at the expense of Drake's reputation.

The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dates back to the early 2010s, with both artists exchanging jabs in their music. This latest development has ignited a heated debate within the music industry, raising questions about the ethics of Universal Music Group's promotional practices. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether Drake's allegations will hold up in court.