Vogue’s publisher, Conde Nast, has sued Drake and 21 Savage for posting and distributing a mocked-up Vogue cover as part of their “Her Loss” promotion campaign. The lawsuit alleges that the music stars also professionally reprinted a full issue of Vogue with the fake cover and handed it out in several North American cities, leading fans to believe the magazines were genuine.
A look inside Drake and 21 Savage’s “Vogue” magazine for ‘Her Loss’ 🦉🗡️ pic.twitter.com/XQLBE4pkUn
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 1, 2022
The magazine was unchanged inside, save for the album title being scrawled across various pages and, in one instance, Drake being photoshopped into an image, according to the lawsuit.
In an October 30 Instagram post cited in the suit, Drake writes, “Me and my brother on newsstands tomorrow!! Thanks @voguemagazine and Anna Wintour for the love and support on this historic moment.” The fake cover was also posted on flyers, reflecting the usual rollout campaign for new Vogue covers, the suit alleges. The suit goes on to quote news stories and social media posts written under the impression that the cover was real. “All of this is false. And none of it has been authorized by Conde Nast,” according to the complaint filed on Monday night in Manhattan federal court.
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The fake Vogue cover was the first in a series of fakes that made up the “Her Loss” media campaign. NPR debunked a pseudo–“Tiny Desk Concert” shot in a room almost identical to the NPR office. Howard Stern himself took part in a Stern Show segment that did not air as part of any official episode. And “Saturday Night Live” and “A Colors Show” were the subject of similar send-ups.
In the days before the album’s release, Vogue’s parent company, Condé Nast, asked the duo to take “remedial measures to curtail further public confusion,” but those requests were refused, according to the suit. The company is alleging trademark infringement, brand dilution, and false advertising, among other claims. It is seeking several awards of damages, including compensation of triple the profits from the album and magazine or triple the legal damages, whichever is greater.
“Her Loss” has been marred by controversies since it was announced, and not necessarily for the right reasons. Although listeners have extended praise to both Drake and 21 for their raps, what’s currently making headlines is the former’s diss to rapper Megan Thee Stallion. On “Circo Loco,” Drake raps: “This bitch lied bout’ getting shots, but she still a stallion / She don’t even get the joke, but she still smiling.” A double entendre about a woman lying to him about cosmetic surgery and the controversial 2020 case in which Tory Lanez allegedly shot Megan Thee Stallion, the lyrics have ignited a debate about Drake’s intentions and prompted responses from fans and entertainment figures, including Megan.
The way Drake has been getting DRAGGED today has brought me so much joy. "Dweeb ass bitch" got me 💀💀💀.
— Luvvie (@Luvvie) November 4, 2022
"His pink Himalayan sea salty ass."
"He don't look like a thumb with facial hair, to you?"
"Without the beard and money he would be an incel"
Whew.
Megan thee Stallion is a case study in misognyoir. she lost her mother, father & grandmother, was assaulted & publically ridiculed after; then gave a stunning SNL performance 2 days after her home was burglarized. this 🥷🏾 STILL fixed his lips to poke fun at her. it’s giving SDE.
— Norma’s Granddawta 🇧🇧🇬🇾🇸🇱🇦🇴 (@lyvonnebriggs) November 7, 2022
megan thee stallion got shot, said nothing to or about drake, and drake actively goes after her
— tracy aka bhad bhonnet (@brokeymcpoverty) November 4, 2022
pusha t disrespected drake's entire bloodline in front of the entire world and drake stepped up and started being a father to his hidden child
Drake has some of the biggest power and influence in the industry. He is playing a very nasty, harmful, and misogynistic game but Megan will come out on the other side.
— Cece (@theeciarasnow) November 4, 2022
Drake is clearly jealous of Megan thee Stallion. She’s hot, tall, naturally built in an athletic/built way. She’s a wordsmith. She also has the love of women. She’s literally everything that Drake can’t have. He’s pressed and it’s pathetic. He can’t be THE hottie.
— Courtlyn “𝕮𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙 𝕶𝖎𝖒” Montgomery 💥 (@TheCourtKim) November 4, 2022
Jay Z liked & unliked a tweet defending Megan Thee Stallion from Drake:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 5, 2022
“If Drake released a song with 'clever' wordplay that mocked the shooting of a male rapper, or any man for that matter, the same people defending him would be outraged. But of course, he would never do that” pic.twitter.com/d9FEMW96O5
Some also believe there were other lines in the track that suggested Drake was targeting the H-Town rapper. “Shorty say she graduated, she ain’t learn enough,” he rapped. “Play your album, track onе, OK, I heard enough.” Many listeners have speculated Drake was referring to Megan’s higher education pursuits and her 2021 graduation from Texas Southern University.
In her response, Megan slammed rappers who were making light of the shooting and demanded they stop using the incident to gain clout.
Stop using my shooting for clout bitch ass Niggas! Since when tf is it cool to joke abt women getting shot ! You niggas especially RAP NIGGAS ARE LAME! Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a black woman when she say one of y’all homeboys abused her
— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
And when the mf facts come out remember all y’all hoe ass favorite rappers that stood behind a Nigga that SHOT A FEMALE
— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
Megan isn’t the only public figure speaking out against Drake’s newest disses. On “Middle of the Ocean,” the album’s 12th track, the rapper throws a jive at Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who married tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2017. “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie,” the artist raps.
But in a Twitter thread about his new investments and business success, Ohanian said that being a groupie isn’t such a bad thing. “The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter,” he wrote. Williams responded to the tweet with several heart-covered emojis.
🥰🥰🥰🥰
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 4, 2022
Drake is a longtime fan of Williams, attending her matches since at least 2011. He also name-dropped her in his 2013 track “Worst Behavior.”
Like Megan, people on social media came out in support of Alexis and Serena.
Drake calling Meg a liar&Alexis Ohanian a groupie like he aint a groupie to Rih & every big name NBA,NFL player and their team,it’s giving I have a burn book of every woman that dnt want me and I’ll cry about it on this album,nigga go watch Adonis & tell him how u lost on Serena
— Love Is A Beautiful Thing (@temiethorpe1) November 4, 2022
The Drake’s and Future’s of the world having one sided beefs with men like Russell Wilson and Alexis Ohanian for loving and supporting their wives will never cease to amaze me pic.twitter.com/UEp3oEbJyN
— Park Jimin’s Apple Bottom Jeans (@Attagirl23) November 4, 2022
Alexis Ohanian is a UVA grad, founded Reddit, venture capitalist, AND is married to the world’s greatest athlete. What Drake thinks about him has zero merit. https://t.co/UNeotMdUmC
— Annalise Keating (@Ariannnyy_) November 4, 2022
Imagine being Alexis Ohanian. Very unproblematic dude, creating a multi-billion dollar company, probably at home this morning making breakfast for his wife and daughter. And boom reading about Drake attacking him on a track because he's an amazing husband and dad. Crazy.
— Assistant To The General Manager| Chrismy Augustin (@LikeChrisss) November 4, 2022
Feature Image: @nojumper/Twitter
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