Drake is pushing back against allegations that he stole a songwriter’s chorus for “Janice STFU,” with his representative insisting the rapper has never even met his accuser… but the internet is divided after the track demo leaked online.
“Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person full stop,” a representative told TMZ, rejecting a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Grammy-winning songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield.
The representative also called the lawsuit a “manufactured and baseless attempt” to capitalize on Drake’s fame.
Hirschfield, who performs as GoodbyeCalev, filed his complaint October 16 in California federal court, naming Drake, OVO Sound, UMG Recordings and Universal Music Publishing as defendants. He alleges that he recorded a demo around January 25, 2026, and sent it to producers in Drake’s circle, including production duo FnZ. Months later, when “Janice STFU” appeared on Drake’s Iceman album in May, Hirschfield claims he heard similarities to his own chorus in the lyrics, melody and cadence.
The guy suing Drake for allegedly stealing the Janice STFU hook from him, drops his full alleged reference track https://t.co/VkZVNvKzLS
— RapAHolicz (@hiphophistory_) October 20, 2026
As the original version leaked, listeners commented that the Drizzy’s version used the original lyrics “bar for bar.”
The songwriter says Lykke Li’s “I Follow Rivers” inspired his original hook. Drake’s track also interpolates the Swedish singer’s song.
Hirschfield alleges his manager later submitted audio stems with metadata to support his authorship claim, but Drake’s representatives disputed it and sent a cease-and-desist letter.
The songwriter is seeking financial damages, profits allegedly earned from infringement, and legal fees. He has not requested that streaming services remove the song.
