Drake and 21 Savage settle lawsuit with Conde Nast over fake Vogue mockups

Drake and 21 Savage’s legal issues with Vogue publisher Conde Nast have now come to an end, with both parties reportedly settling the lawsuit.

Conde Nast filed a lawsuit against Drake and 21 Savage in November after the rappers created elaborate but fake Vogue mockups, which were distributed by street crews in various cities.

The editors claimed that Drake, 36 (born Aubrey Drake Graham) and Savage, 30 (born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph) did not get permission from Vogue or Conde Nast for the mockups.

They were seeking $4 million in damages, claiming many had already obtained the fake magazines, and Drake even gave Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour a shoutout on social media, though the lawsuit alleges they “have not endorsed “. the album anyway, and he asked the rappers multiple times to take down the posters and demos.

Now traffic light reports that both sides have settled the case out of court, with the rappers agreeing to pay the publisher an undisclosed sum.

Lawsuit: Conde Nast filed a lawsuit against Drake and 21 Savage in November after the rappers created elaborate but fake Vogue mockups, which were distributed by street crews in various cities.

No Permission: The editors claimed that Drake, 36 (born Aubrey Drake Graham) and Savage, 30 (above, born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph) did not get permission from Vogue or Conde Nast for the mockups.

An internal memo from Conde Nast general counsel Will Bowles revealed that the company has received “a permanent injunction prohibiting further commercial uses of Vogue’s trademarks.”

They also received a monetary settlement from the rappers, and while the amount was not disclosed, Bowles said the funds “will bolster our ongoing creative output, including editorial for Vogue.”

“As a creative company, we of course understand that our marks may be referenced from time to time in other creative works,” added Bowes.

“In this case, however, it became clear to us that Drake and 21 Savage leveraged Vogue’s reputation for their own commercial gains, and in the process misled the public who trust Vogue as the authoritative voice in fashion and culture.” .

The lawsuit claims that the rappers put up billboards promoting this fake magazine collaboration in many cities.

The suit also alleged that the teams of Drake and Savage sent out email blasts, “celebrating Drake’s Vogue cover.”

Inside the elaborately detailed magazine was a photo of Wintour smiling as she stood behind him, though that photo was doctored and not authentic.

Along with the $4 million in damages, Conde Nast wanted a judge to shut down use of the mockups immediately.

Injunction: An internal memo from Conde Nast General Counsel Will Bowles revealed that the company received “a permanent injunction prohibiting further commercial uses of Vogue’s trademarks.”

Settlement: They also received a monetary settlement from the rappers, and while the amount was not disclosed, Bowles said the funds “will bolster our ongoing creative output, including editorial for Vogue.”

Clear: “In this case, however, it became clear to us that Drake and 21 Savage leveraged Vogue’s reputation for their own commercial gains, and in the process misled the public who trust Vogue as the authoritative voice in fashion and culture.” he added.

False: Inside the elaborately detailed magazine was a photo of Wintour smiling while standing behind him, although that photo was doctored and not authentic.

When the lawsuit was filed, Drake’s team was reported to be “confused” as others such as Howard Stern and NPR’s TinyDesk toyed with the promotion.

Still, some news outlets even ran stories about Drake and 21 Savage on the cover of Vogue, which was certainly not true.

Her Loss was released on November 4 via OVO Sound and Republic Records, which features a guest appearance by Travis Scott.

While the record was not a huge hit with critics, it did well commercially, debuting atop the US Billboard 200 and Canadian Albums charts.

The album was also named as Complex’s eighth best album of 2022 and 66th on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of 2022.

Drake and 21 Savage had previously collaborated on 2016’s Sneakin’, 2017’s Issa, 2020’s Mr. Right Now, and 2021’s Knife Talk.

Last month, Drake teased a possible tour with 21 Savage, during a performance at the Apollo Theater in New York City last month.

“I was telling you before, but if you enjoy that experience, feel free to come see me and my brother this summer,” he said during the presentation.

Confused: When the lawsuit was filed, it was reported that Drake’s team was “confused” as others like Howard Stern and NPR’s TinyDesk toyed with the promotion.

Acting: While the record wasn’t a huge hit with critics, it did well commercially, debuting atop the US Billboard 200 and Canadian Albums charts.