The alleged original demo behind Drake’s hit “Janice STFU” has been made public, allowing listeners to compare the disputed chorus with the rapper’s chart topping single. On October 19, a recording surfaced that producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield claims he created months before Drake released the song.
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The “Janice STFU” lawsuit centers on an eight-line chorus Hirschfield says he wrote, recorded, and submitted to producers associated with Drake. In the newly surfaced recording, the disputed vocals begin around the 45-second mark. Hirschfield alleges the lyrics, melody, and cadence match the chorus Drake performs on the finished track.According to the federal complaint, both versions contain the same sequence of references to phone calls, Vancouver, a Maybach, heated seats, record label frustrations, and green tea. The lyrics repeatedly end with “baby,” following what Hirschfield describes as the same melodic progression and vocal rhythm. His attorneys characterize the choruses as “literally identical,” alleging Drake reproduced his original composition without permission.
Hirschfield, professionally known as GoodbyeCalev, claims the concept originated during a 2025 drive to Seattle. He says he was riding in a friend’s Maybach when Lykke Li’s 2011 song “I Follow Rivers” played. Inspired by its chorus, he began imagining how the melody could be reworked into a hip hop record specifically for Drake.
The songwriter alleges he developed his chorus between December 2025 and January 2026 using instrumental music supplied by production duo FnZ, consisting of Michael Mulé and Isaac De Boni. According to the lawsuit, he completed the recording at his home studio around January 25 and sent it to FnZ and other producers connected to Drake.
Hirschfield claims he never received a response.
FnZ’s involvement is central to the allegations because the duo also received production credits on Drake’s released recording. Hirschfield argues that sending his demo to producers who subsequently worked on “Janice STFU” gave Drake access to the composition. However, the lawsuit does not establish that Drake personally received or listened to the recording.
Hirschfield previously shared songwriting credits with Drake on Beyoncé’s 2022 song “Heated” from “Renaissance.” The professional connection is documented, although sharing credits on the same recording does not necessarily mean the two worked together directly.
The lawsuit was filed October 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. According to federal court records, the defendants include Drake, OVO Sound, UMG Recordings, and Universal Music Publishing. Hirschfield accuses them of copyright infringement involving his original lyrics and vocal melody.
Hirschfield says he discovered the alleged copying when “Janice STFU” appeared on Drake’s “Iceman” album on May 15. He claims he immediately recognized his chorus and subsequently learned he had not received songwriting credit or publishing compensation.
The complaint alleges Hirschfield’s manager provided Drake’s representatives with original vocal stems and file metadata showing when the recording was created. Hirschfield claims Drake’s team disputed his authorship and accused him of manipulating the metadata. He further alleges Drake’s attorneys sent a cease and desist letter demanding he stop publicly claiming ownership of the chorus.
Drake’s representatives have strongly rejected the accusations. In a statement provided to XXL on October 19, his team said the allegations were “categorically, unequivocally, and completely denied.” They characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to exploit Drake’s reputation for financial gain and maintained that the rapper wrote the song himself.
The lawsuit also involves the song’s connection to Lykke Li. According to Billboard, Drake’s released version interpolates “I Follow Rivers,” the same recording Hirschfield identifies as his inspiration. His claim specifically concerns the original lyrics and melody he says he developed from that inspiration, rather than ownership of Lykke Li’s existing composition.
Another detail complicates the timeline. Drake previewed an earlier version of the track in September 2025 under the title “That’s Just How I Feel.” However, lyrics documented from that preview do not appear to contain the disputed eight-line chorus.
The financial stakes are substantial. Billboard reports “Janice STFU” spent two weeks atop the Hot 100 and 20 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs. Hirschfield’s complaint claims the single surpassed 300 million Spotify streams and alleges its chorus contributed significantly to the record’s commercial success.
Hirschfield registered his composition and vocal recording with the U.S. Copyright Office effective July 21, 2026, after Drake’s song had already been released. That timing could complicate his eligibility for statutory damages and attorney fees under federal copyright law.
He is seeking monetary damages and profits attributable to the alleged infringement, without specifying a dollar amount.
