Drake’s latest hit, “Janice STFU,” is at the center of a legal battle as a recent lawsuit claims the rapper plagiarized the song’s hook. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on October 16, alleges that the chorus was originally penned by Aviel (Avi) Hirschfield, a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist who had previously collaborated with Drake.
According to the lawsuit, Hirschfield drew inspiration for the lyrics and melody while driving a Maybach to Seattle, listening to “I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li, an artist sampled by Drake in the past. He recorded a demo with his vocals over a track produced by FnZ, known for their work with Drake, hoping it would reach the Toronto rapper.
However, upon hearing Drake’s rendition of “Janice STFU,” Hirschfield was shocked to find the chorus identical to his demo. Drake’s team vehemently denies these allegations, claiming they are baseless.
The similarities between the two tracks have sparked controversy, with Hirschfield’s leaked version available online for comparison. “Janice STFU” made a significant impact upon its release, debuting at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts. This achievement marked Drake’s 14th chart-topping single, surpassing Michael Jackson’s record for the most No. 1 hits by a male solo artist.
In response to the song’s impact, Drake hosted a series of parties to apologize to individuals named Janice who felt targeted by the track. Despite his contributions, Hirschfield was not credited as a co-writer and was denied a share of the song’s earnings.
Drake’s representatives have refuted any association with Hirschfield, labeling the allegations as unfounded. Universal Music Group, another party implicated in the lawsuit, has yet to comment on the matter.
