Vogue publisher sues Drake and 21 Savage for using title to promote 'Her Loss'

Condé Nast, the publisher of fashion magazine, Vogue, is suing Drake and 21 Savage for a "breach of copyright"

In a new lawsuit filed on Monday November 7 at a Manhattan federal court, lawyers for the publishing group allege that the two artists used the Vogue name and style to promote their new album ‘Her Loss’ without permission. Condé Nast is seeking at least $4m (£3.5m) in damages.

Reported by TMZ, the lawsuit claimed that their promotional campaign involved representing falsely that the duo would appear on the next cover of US magazine, with the “love and support” of Anna Wintour, the magazine’s longstanding editor-in-chief.

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Condé Nast also alleged that Drake and 21 Savage produced a fake issue of Vogue magazine with the two rappers on the cover and distributed it in major cities across the USA. Inside, it is claimed that they reprinted a largely unchanged full previous issue – apart from ‘Her Loss’ being splashed across various pages – leading fans to believe that the magazine was genuine.

Lawyers claim that the duo falsely promoted that they would be collaborating with Vogue on social media, as well as produced posters that imitated the magazine’s iconography and layout.

The company alleged that it had attempted to resolve the situation asked that the promotional material using the Vogue name be taken down and removed, and it “does not endorse [‘Her Loss’] in any way”.

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‘Her Loss’ was released on November 4, to a mixed critical reception. The Vogue cover in question is not the first thing that has been impersonated in the lead up to the album’s release. They have faked a number of media appearances, including fake COLORSxSTUDIOS and Saturday Night Live performances, the latter even being introduced by Michael B. Jordan.

They also faked an interview with Howard Stern and a GQ 'What's in My Bag?' feature.

NPR also wrote a post claiming that Drake and 21 Savage had not done a Tiny Desk Concert, after a video surfaced of the pair in front of a backdrop that appeared almost identical to its office.

Mixmag have reached out to representatives of Drake and 21 Savage, who have not yet provided any comment.

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter