Songwriter Sues Drake Over 'Janice STFU' Chorus, Citing Identical Demo
Composer Aviel Calev Hirschfield has filed a lawsuit against Drake, OVO Sound, and Universal Music Group, alleging that the chorus of Drake's hit single 'Janice STFU' is identical to a demo Hirschfield sent to Drake's team in early 2026. The complaint claims the song's hook matches the demo word-for-word and note-for-note. Drake's representatives have denied the allegations, calling them fabricated and stating that Drake wrote the song independently. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation and credit for Hirschfield's contribution.
Key points
- Hirschfield claims he wrote the demo in December 2025 and January 2026 using an audio bed from producers FNZ, who are credited on 'Janice STFU'.
- The lawsuit alleges that Hirschfield sent the finished demo to FNZ and other producers but received no reply before the song's release.
- Hirschfield asserts that the chorus of 'Janice STFU' is 'literally identical' to his demo, including specific lyrics and melody.
- Drake's team issued a statement denying the claims, stating that Drake wrote the song and has no connection to Hirschfield.
- The lawsuit seeks a share of profits from 'Janice STFU' and alleges that Drake's representatives refused to acknowledge Hirschfield's authorship despite provided metadata.
Background
Drake's single 'Janice STFU' achieved significant commercial success, spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. The track interpolates the 2011 Lykke Li song 'I Follow Rivers'. Hirschfield previously co-wrote the 2022 Beyoncé track 'Heated' with Drake. This legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry regarding songwriting credits and the use of demos in the creation of major hits.
Why it matters
This lawsuit underscores the critical importance of clear documentation and communication in songwriting collaborations. It highlights the potential legal and financial consequences for artists and labels when claims of prior art or uncredited contributions arise. The case may set precedents for how metadata and demo submissions are treated in copyright infringement disputes within the music industry.
What to watch
The case will proceed through the legal system, with potential hearings and discovery phases. Drake's team has firmly denied the allegations, suggesting a contested litigation process. The outcome could impact how future songwriting credits and demo submissions are handled in the industry. Universal Music Group has not yet commented on the suit.
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