Songwriter sues Drake over ‘Janice STFU’ chorus; his team denies claim

Songwriter and producer Aviel Calev Hirschfield has filed a copyright lawsuit over the chorus of Drake’s “Janice STFU”, alleging that his work was used without credit or payment. A public listing of activity at the US District Court for the Central District of California records a complaint in *Hirschfield v. Graham et al* filed on 16 October. [1] [2]

TMZ, which says it obtained the lawsuit, reports that Hirschfield recorded the hook in January 2026 and sent it to producers who had worked with Drake. He alleges that the same lyrics and melody appeared in the song when it was released in May. [2]

An account of the complaint published by Billboard and republished by Black News says Hirschfield made his demo using an audio track from the production duo FNZ, who are credited as co-writers on “Janice STFU”. He says he sent the completed demo to them and other producers but received no reply. He is seeking a share of the song’s profits. [5]

A representative for Drake told TMZ: “These allegations are categorically, unequivocally, and completely denied.” The representative said Drake wrote the song and “has no connection or knowledge of this person full stop”. [2]

Even if Hirschfield’s account of sending the demo is borne out, that would not by itself establish that his chorus was used in the finished song. That remains the central dispute in the case.