Drake Sued Over “Janice STFU” Chorus: What the Lawsuit Alleges and How Drake’s Team Responded
Published: 17 October 2026 · Updated: 17 October 2026
Quick answer: Songwriter and producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield, known as Avi, has sued Drake over the chorus of “Janice STFU”. He filed a copyright infringement complaint in the US District Court for the Central District of California on 16 October 2026. He alleges the chorus copies a demo he sent to producers in Drake’s circle. Drake’s representative says the claims are completely denied and calls the suit a “manufactured and baseless attempt” to exploit the rapper’s success. These are allegations. No court has found infringement. newsy-todayprimetimer
Key facts
| Plaintiff | Aviel Calev Hirschfield (“Avi”), songwriter and producer |
| Song | “Janice STFU”, from Drake’s Iceman project |
| Court | US District Court, Central District of California |
| Filed | Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Alleged claim | Copyright infringement over the chorus |
| Defendants (reported) | Drake, OVO Sound and Universal Music Group, including Republic Records and Universal Music Publishing Group |
| Hirschfield’s registration | Copyright Office registration effective 21 July 2026 |
| Drake’s response | Denies the allegations; calls the suit baseless |
| Status | Early stage; nothing proven ssbcrackrollingout |
What does the lawsuit claim?
According to the complaint, as reported:
- Creation: Hirschfield wrote the demo between December 2025 and January 2026, building a chorus inspired by Lykke Li’s “I Follow Rivers”. He is reported to have developed it over an instrumental from the production duo FNZ. inmusicblog
- Sharing: He says he sent it to FNZ and other producers connected to Drake and received no response. ssbcrack
- Discovery: He says he first heard “Janice STFU” around 15 May and found a chorus he calls “literally identical” in lyrics, melody and cadence. rollingout
- Credit: FNZ are credited as songwriters on the track, while Hirschfield says his name was left off despite his involvement in the demo. HotNewHipHop
- Relief sought: a share of the song’s profits, statutory damages, interest and attorneys’ fees, as well as recognition of his alleged contribution. newsy-today
How has Drake’s team responded?
A Drake representative denied the allegations in a statement reported by TMZ and others, saying the claims are “categorically, unequivocally, and completely denied.” They described the suit as a “manufactured and baseless attempt” to exploit Drake’s name and success “for money and attention”. world-today-journal
According to the complaint, Drake’s camp maintained that the rapper wrote the chorus himself, accused Hirschfield of tampering with his recording files to falsify the creation date, and sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding he stop claiming authorship publicly. These are claims made in Hirschfield’s filing, not findings. time
What do we know about Avi Hirschfield?
Hirschfield has a prior connection to Drake. The complaint notes that he previously shared a writing credit with Drake on Beyoncé’s “Heated”, from Renaissance. His past credit adds context but doesn’t prove or disprove his claim. rollingout
What is “Janice STFU”?
It is a single from Drake’s Iceman project, released in May 2026. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The commercial success is part of why the dispute is drawing attention. Wikipedia
What will the court have to decide?
In music copyright cases, courts generally look at whether the defendant had access to the work and whether the songs are substantially similar. Here, the key questions are likely to include:
- Access: whether the demo reached Drake or people working with him
- Timing: when the demo and the song were each created, which is why recording files and metadata are in dispute
- Similarity: how closely the chorus matches the demo in lyrics, melody and cadence
- Original authorship: who wrote what, given that the song is reported to interpolate “I Follow Rivers”
The case is at the start. Drake’s side will respond in court, and the process can take a long time.
What happens next?
The defendants are expected to file responses in court, and the case will move through the usual pre-trial stages. [We’ll update this page as filings and statements appear.]
Frequently asked questions
Who is suing Drake over “Janice STFU”?
Songwriter and producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield, known as Avi.
When was the lawsuit filed?
On Friday 16 October 2026, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
What does Hirschfield allege?
That the chorus of “Janice STFU” copies a demo he made between December 2025 and January 2026 and sent to producers in Drake’s circle.
Has Drake responded?
Yes. His representative denies the allegations and calls the suit baseless.
Who else is named in the lawsuit?
Reports say OVO Sound and Universal Music Group, including its Republic Records and publishing arms.
Has a court found that Drake copied the chorus?
No. The claims are unproven allegations.
What is Hirschfield asking for?
A share of the song’s profits, statutory damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and recognition of his alleged contribution.
Has Hirschfield worked with Drake before?
Reports say he shared a writing credit with Drake on Beyoncé’s “Heated”.
Who is credited as a songwriter on “Janice STFU”?
Reports say the production duo FNZ are credited as co-writers.
