TORONTO — Canadian rap star Drake has reportedly been hit with a libel lawsuit after he publicly distanced himself from the movie Drake’s Homecoming: The Lost Footage.
Distributor SpectiCast alleged Wednesday that Drake’s March 16 tweet encouraged his 21 million followers not to see the movie.
According to reports, they are seeking $15 million in damages.
The Toronto-born artist tweeted that the film “is not something OVO or Drake have any part in” and said he had a responsibility to “protect my fans.”
The following day he tweeted that he and J. Prince “stand together on not supporting the Drake Homecoming footage in theatres.”
In a statement, Drake’s rep said: “Obviously Drake and OVO only put out music and video/film that is of the highest quality for their brand and what their fans have come to expect, and do not want any fans to buy into something that has not come from them.”
Homecoming features footage from Drake’s 2009 show at the Sound Academy in Toronto.
The rap star was paid $15,000 and guaranteed a 15 per cent royalty to allow the concert to be filmed.
Shortly after the show, Drake was signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money label and became a global superstar. Producers of the film have said they offered to sell the footage to Drake and his label but both declined.
Homecoming was in theatres across Canada on Wednesday for one night only.
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