Streamer Kai Cenat couldn’t believe his ears when he found himself caught up in Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). The buzz started when Cenat’s popular reaction video to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was unexpectedly named in the legal documents.
Kai Cenat was live on Twitch, doing what he does best — engaging with his audience — when he stumbled upon his mention in the lawsuit. His initial reaction was one of shock, “Wait, why am I in this?! Wait, hold on! I’m getting sued?!” he blurted out, clearly baffled by the situation.
It all ties back to a message from Drake last May, when the music superstar had dropped a hint about his diss track “Family Matters.” Reacting to the revelation during his stream, Cenat exclaimed, “N-gga, this night I was told to stay on stream!” Fortunately for Cenat, it soon became clear he wasn’t actually facing any legal action — a fact that allowed him to breathe easy, “Oh, I’m good! I’m alright! So he’s just using us as examples of spreading misinformation type shit?” he speculated.
Cenat was quick to squash any rumors about streamers being paid by UMG to feature “Not Like Us” in their videos. “N-ggas ain’t that weak!” he declared, then reflected on the buzz his reaction videos to both Drake and Kendrick’s tracks had generated. “Both ways, n-ggas ate crazy, gang. I wasn’t even complaining. All my shit’s monetized,” he said, highlighting the silver lining of the situation.
Drake’s lawsuit against UMG isn’t just about copyright claims. It accuses the music giant of tarnishing his reputation and even inciting violence. Drake cites a shooting incident at his Toronto home, which took place soon after the song’s release, leading him to fear for the safety of himself and his loved ones. He’s even gone as far as removing his son from his Toronto school due to these concerns.
The lawsuit paints a picture of UMG deliberately stirring the pot. It claims the company boosted “Not Like Us” through streaming bots and other underhanded tactics, all to devalue Drake’s music and gain leverage in contract talks. Despite the drama, Drake emphasizes that his issue is with UMG, not with Kendrick Lamar, who performed the diss track.
In response, UMG has dismissed Drake’s claims, calling them “untrue” and “illogical.” They insist their long-standing relationship with Drake has been mutually beneficial, and accuse him of trying to use the courts to stifle artistic expression.
While Kai Cenat’s involvement in Drake’s lawsuit was a mere blip in the grand scheme, it highlights the unexpected ways internet personalities can get tangled in the affairs of music superstars. Meanwhile, the lawsuit continues to unfold with high stakes for both Drake and UMG.