Drake Faces Allegations of Song Theft in Lawsuit Over “Janice STFU”
Drake’s latest hit, “Janice STFU,” has sparked controversy as a recent lawsuit claims the rapper stole the chorus from Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Aviel (Avi) Hirschfield. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Hirschfield crafted the lyrics and melody while driving a Maybach and being inspired by music from Lykke Li, an artist previously sampled by Drake.
According to the lawsuit, Hirschfield recorded a demo with his vocals over a track produced by FnZ, a duo known for their collaborations with Drake, in hopes of reaching the 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, dismissing them as baseless. A leaked version of Hirschfield’s original creation is available for comparison to Drake’s released track.
“Janice STFU” debuted at the top of both the Billboard Global 200 and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts, marking Drake’s 14th number one hit and breaking his tie with Michael Jackson for the most solo male chart-toppers. To address any unintended impact on individuals named Janice, Drake hosted special apology events.
Despite his contribution, Hirschfield did not receive credit or revenue for the song. Drake’s representatives assert that the rapper has no association with Hirschfield and firmly reject the lawsuit’s claims. Universal Music Group, also named in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter.