Entertainment · Music · 5 hrs ago
Songwriter Sues Drake, Alleging ‘Janice STFU’ Hook Copies His Demo
Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield has sued Drake over the chorus of “Janice STFU,” a hit from Drake’s album “Iceman.”
Hirschfield says he wrote a demo in late 2025 and early 2026 and sent it to producers who worked with Drake.
The lawsuit alleges the song’s chorus is identical to his demo in its lyrics and melody.
Hirschfield says he first heard the song when “Iceman” was released on streaming services, then asked for a co-writing credit and a share of publishing income.
Drake’s representatives have denied his claim, according to the lawsuit, which says they maintain Drake wrote the chorus himself.
“Janice STFU” spent two weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 20 weeks atop the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Hirschfield is seeking a share of the song’s profits through copyright claims against Drake, OVO Sound and Universal Music Group; Drake’s representative declined to comment, and UMG did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Aviel Calev Hirschfield sued Drake, alleging the chorus of “Janice STFU” copies a demo he sent to Drake’s team.
The lawsuit says Hirschfield wrote the demo in December 2025 and January 2026 and sent it to producers who worked with Drake.
Hirschfield alleges the song’s hook matches his demo’s melody and lyrics and says he was not credited or paid.
Drake’s representatives allegedly maintain that Drake wrote the chorus himself.
The suit seeks copyright infringement damages and a share of the song’s profits.
- Who
- Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield sued Drake, OVO Sound and Universal Music Group.
- What
- Hirschfield alleges that “Janice STFU” copied the chorus of his demo without credit or compensation.
- When
- The complaint was filed Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Hirschfield says he wrote the demo in December 2025 and January 2026.
- Where
- The complaint was filed in court; the court’s location is not stated.
- Why
- Hirschfield says the song’s hook is identical to his demo and seeks credit, compensation and a share of its profits.
Aviel Calev Hirschfield
Drake and his representatives
Authorship
Aviel Calev Hirschfield
Hirschfield says he wrote the demo and that the song’s chorus matches it.
Drake and his representatives
The lawsuit says Drake’s representatives maintain that Drake wrote the chorus on his own.
Metadata
Aviel Calev Hirschfield
Hirschfield provided stems and metadata as evidence, according to the lawsuit.
Drake and his representatives
Drake’s representatives allegedly contend that Hirschfield manipulated the recording-file metadata to make his work appear earlier.
Credit and compensation
Aviel Calev Hirschfield
Hirschfield seeks co-writer credit, publishing splits and a share of the song’s profits.
Drake and his representatives
The lawsuit alleges Drake’s representatives refused to acknowledge his authorship; Drake’s representative declined to comment.
Hirschfield says he wrote the demo over an audio bed he received from producers FNZ.
Hirschfield says he sent the finished demo to FNZ and other producers who worked with Drake.
Drake released “Janice STFU,” according to the lawsuit’s description of it as his May hit.
Hirschfield’s complaint was filed, alleging copyright infringement.
- Plaintiff
- Aviel Calev Hirschfield
- Defendants
- Drake, OVO Sound and Universal Music Group
- Song
- Janice STFU
- Demo-writing period
- December 2025 and January 2026
- Chart run
- Two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Hot Rap Songs run
- 20 weeks at No. 1
1 source
What people are saying
literally identical
Fifteen seconds in, Avi was stunned to hear Drake perform word-for-word, note-for-note, beat-by-beat, the exact same chorus that he (Avi) had recorded and sent
Such a deception would constitute career suicide by Avi