Drake faces a copyright infringement lawsuit from producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield, who alleges he contributed to the chorus of ‘Janice STFU’ without credit or payment. Drake’s team denies the allegations.
Filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the suit names Drake, OVO Sound, UMG Recordings and Universal Music Publishing among the defendants.
Producer seeks profits and damages
Hirschfield, a Portland-based, Grammy-winning producer, alleges that his contributions included lyrics, melody and cadence. He is seeking profits and damages from Drake and his label partners.
The filing says Hirschfield composed the chorus between December and January, completed a recording around January 25 and then sent it to producers in Drake’s circle. He says none responded.
Hirschfield says he had heard ‘Janice STFU’ by around May 15. His registration of the work with the Copyright Office took effect July 21.
The lawsuit describes the choruses as “literally identical” in lyrics, melody and cadence, and alleges that Drake and his team “shamelessly refuse to acknowledge” Hirschfield’s contributions.
Drake’s team disputes authorship claim
Drake’s team calls the allegations “entirely fabricated” and describes the lawsuit as a “manufactured and baseless attempt” to exploit his career.
“Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person, full stop,” said a representative for Drake.
His team also alleges that Hirschfield manipulated the recording’s metadata. It has sent him a cease-and-desist letter demanding that he stop publicly claiming ownership.
‘Janice STFU’ chart performance
‘Janice STFU’ emerged as the breakout track from Drake’s three album releases in 2026. Its chart and streaming results include:
- A debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
- 20 weeks atop the Hot Rap Songs chart, making it Drake’s longest-leading hit on that chart.
- More than 300 million streams on Spotify.
