A copyright infringement lawsuit against Drake over his recent hit “Janice STFU” was dismissed less than two weeks after filing.
According to reports, rapper/songwriter Aviel Hirschfield filed a motion in federal court on Tuesday (October 27) to dismiss his lawsuit against Drake. He offered no explanation for filing the motion in the letter requesting the dismissal.
The Portland, Oregon-based Hirschfield filed his lawsuit against Drake on October 16, alleging that the Canadian star copied the entire chorus he wrote specifically for “Janice STFU”, which has gone on to be a major hit from Drake’s Iceman album. Hirschfield claims that he wrote the chorus in January, inspired by Swedish singer Lykke Li.
“This song was written specifically for Drake using music provided to [Hirschfield] that was created by Drake’s producers,” Hirschfield’s representative said at the time. The lawsuit claims that after he heard the track in May, Hirschfield sent “stems” to Drake’s producer FnZ as audio proof that he recorded the chorus first.
“The allegations are not merely disputed — we maintain that they are entirely fabricated, without credible factual support or legitimate legal foundation. Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person full stop,” attorneys for the “Headlines” rapper said in response to the lawsuit.
Aviel Hirschfield Has Worked With Beyoncé & Others
Prior to the lawsuit, Hirschfield’s most notable credit was as a co-writer on Beyoncé’s “Heated”, from her smash hit album Renaissance in 2022. But in a Rolling Stone report, he began bragging on social media that he was a “co-producer” on the song. In another twist, he actually shares writing credit with over a dozen other figures, including Drake.
Even with the swift request, the court dismissed Hirschfield’s lawsuit without prejudice. That distinction means that it can be brought again at a later date.
Peep reactions to the latest lawsuit being dismissed below.
