Drake ‘Janice STFU’ Lawsuit: Alleged Demo Surfaces Online
Last updated: 20 October 2026
An alleged demo at the centre of Drake’s “Janice STFU” copyright lawsuit has surfaced online. Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield claims the recording contains a chorus he created before Drake released the song in May 2026. Complex published the alleged demo on 19 October, days after Hirschfield filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Drake and associated music companies. Drake’s representatives have denied the allegations.
The dispute centres on who created the chorus, when the material was recorded and whether it was shared with producers connected to Drake before the track’s release.
Listen to the Alleged Original ‘Janice STFU’ Demo
Complex published the recording that Hirschfield identifies as his original demo, which he says he recorded in January 2026. According to the songwriter, he created the chorus over an instrumental associated with production duo FnZ, comprising Michael Mulé and Isaac De Boni, before sending the recording to the producers and others connected to Drake.
Hirschfield alleges that the demo’s chorus matches the one Drake performs on “Janice STFU” in its lyrics, melody and cadence. He claims his work was used without songwriting credit or compensation.
Listen to the recording:
Although the recording is now publicly available, its publication does not establish that copyright infringement occurred. Its origins, how it was circulated and the competing claims about authorship remain central to the dispute.
What Is the Drake ‘Janice STFU’ Lawsuit About?
Aviel Calev Hirschfield filed a copyright infringement complaint on 16 October 2026 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. According to Music Business Worldwide, the defendants include Drake, OVO Sound, UMG Recordings and Universal Music Publishing.
Hirschfield alleges that he developed the disputed chorus after hearing Lykke Li’s “I Follow Rivers” and considering how its musical elements could be adapted for a hip-hop track. According to the complaint, he recorded his vocals over an instrumental associated with FnZ in January 2026 and shared the recording with producers connected to Drake.
The songwriter says he later heard “Janice STFU”, released in May 2026, and recognised the chorus as material he had previously created. He alleges that the finished track uses his lyrics and melody without credit or payment.
Hirschfield also claims that his representatives provided Drake’s team with audio stems and metadata that he believes support his account of when the recording was created. He is seeking financial remedies, including damages and profits allegedly generated through the use of his work, and has requested a jury trial.
These claims form part of the complaint and have not been established as findings of fact by a court.
Drake Denies the ‘Janice STFU’ Copyright Allegations
Drake’s representatives have rejected Hirschfield’s claims, maintaining that the rapper wrote the song himself.
In a statement reported by XXL on 19 October, Drake’s team denied the allegations and described the lawsuit as an attempt to exploit the rapper’s name and success.
The statement concluded: “Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person full stop.”
The response directly contradicts Hirschfield’s account that he created and circulated the chorus before Drake released the track.
The appearance of the alleged demo has brought renewed attention to the case, but neither the recording’s publication nor the parties’ public statements resolve the question of authorship. The evidence and competing accounts will need to be assessed through the legal process.
What Happens Next in the Drake Lawsuit?
The dispute is likely to focus on evidence relating to the chorus, including the recording’s metadata, its history of circulation and the parties’ accounts of how the material was created and shared.
Hirschfield maintains that his recording predates Drake’s release and supports his claim. Drake’s representatives, meanwhile, insist that the rapper wrote the song himself and deny any connection to Hirschfield.
As of 20 October 2026, the sources cited in this report do not establish a court finding that Drake infringed Hirschfield’s copyright. The lawsuit remains an unresolved dispute over the alleged use of the chorus.
Urban Street Culture will update this report if significant developments emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Drake ‘Janice STFU’ lawsuit about?
Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield alleges that Drake used a chorus he recorded in January 2026 for “Janice STFU” without credit or compensation. Drake’s representatives deny the allegations.
Where can you hear the alleged ‘Janice STFU’ demo?
Complex published the recording on 19 October 2026. Listen to the alleged demo in Complex’s report.
Who is Aviel Calev Hirschfield?
Aviel Calev Hirschfield is a songwriter who claims he created the disputed chorus before Drake released “Janice STFU”. Reporting on the lawsuit also identifies him as a co-writer of Beyoncé’s “Heated”.
What has Drake said about the allegations?
Drake’s representatives deny the claims and maintain that Drake wrote “Janice STFU” himself, with no connection to Hirschfield.
Does the alleged demo prove Drake infringed copyright?
No. The recording is relevant to Hirschfield’s allegations, but its publication does not establish copyright infringement. The claims and supporting evidence must be assessed through the legal process.
When was the Drake lawsuit filed?
Hirschfield filed his copyright infringement complaint on 16 October 2026 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Sources
Pitchfork — Did Drake Steal ‘Janice STFU’?
Complex — Hear the Song at the Centre of the ‘Janice STFU’ Lawsuit
XXL — Drake Denies Accusations He Stole the ‘Janice STFU’ Hook
Music Business Worldwide — Drake and UMG Sued Over the ‘Janice STFU’ Chorus
