Songwriter Sues, Says Chorus Copied Demo
Billboard • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield has filed a lawsuit accusing Drake of using his demo without credit or compensation for the hook of the hit single “Janice STFU,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks.
- Hirschfield claims he sent the demo to Drake’s producers FNZ early in 2026, and that the chorus of “Janice STFU” is “literally identical” to his original demo, including melody and lyrics, but he was never credited or compensated.
- Drake’s team categorically denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit baseless and fabricated, and asserts that Drake wrote the song independently with no connection to Hirschfield.
- The lawsuit targets Drake, his company OVO Sound, and Universal Music Group, seeking a share of profits and recognition for Hirschfield’s contribution to one of Drake’s biggest recent hits.
- Hirschfield also disputes claims from Drake’s side that he manipulated recording metadata, stating such deception would harm his career, and emphasizes his prior collaboration with Drake on a Beyoncé track.
