Drake’s Legal Team Accuses Producer of Metadata Falsification in ‘Janice STFU’ Lawsuit

Legal representatives for Drake have issued a forceful response to a copyright infringement lawsuit, labeling the claims a “money grab” and a “manufactured” attempt to exploit the rapper’s commercial success. The dispute centers on the hit single “Janice STFU,” which dominated music charts throughout 2026.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, October 16, 2026, by producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield—professionally known as Avi—alleges that Drake stole the chorus for the song from a demo Hirschfield recorded between December 2025 and January 2026. Hirschfield claims the hook in “Janice STFU” is “literally identical” to his earlier work, specifically citing the melodic structure.

In a statement addressing the filing, Drake’s team dismissed the allegations as baseless. Beyond a standard denial, the defense has introduced a high-stakes counter-allegation: that Hirschfield manipulated the digital metadata of his recording files to falsely suggest his demo preceded the creation of “Janice STFU.” According to Complex, representatives for the rapper suggest the producer’s evidence has been altered to frame Drake for a theft that never occurred.

The '' lawsuit is being framed as a manufactured claim by the artist's representatives.

The Metadata Defense

The core of the legal battle appears to be shifting toward technical forensics. While Hirschfield maintains that his demo was shared in confidence, Drake’s legal team contends that the rapper wrote the chorus independently. By accusing Hirschfield of metadata manipulation, the defense is positioning the lawsuit as a fraudulent attempt to pre-date a chart-topping track that had already been established.

The stakes for the outcome are high, as “Janice STFU” was one of the most successful releases of the year. After its debut in May 2026, the track spent 20 weeks at the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart.

Prior Professional Ties

This is not the first time the two parties have been linked. Hirschfield and Drake share history as collaborators, having both earned songwriting credits on “Heated,” a track from Beyoncé’s 2022 album Renaissance. This prior relationship is likely to be a focal point in the proceedings, as Hirschfield argues he had a reasonable expectation of professional trust when sharing his work.

Legal experts suggest that the defense’s strategy of accusing the plaintiff of evidence tampering is a significant escalation. If the allegations of metadata malpractice are proven, it could have severe consequences for Hirschfield’s standing in the industry. For now, the case remains in its early stages as the court prepares to weigh the conflicting claims of creative theft against accusations of technical fabrication.

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