Drake Appeals Dismissal of Defamation Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'

The legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG) continues as the rapper files an opening appellate brief. He's seeking to overturn the previous ruling in his lawsuit against the label, according to Rolling Stone. The initial lawsuit, dismissed by a federal judge in October, alleged that UMG promoted Kendrick Lamar’s scathing diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claims was defamatory.

Pitchfork has reached out to attorneys for both UMG and Drake for comment on the latest developments.

In the 60-page filing, obtained by Pitchfork, Drake’s legal team argues that the original dismissal was “erroneous.” They reiterate their claim that UMG “promoted ‘Not Like Us’ while knowing that the song's insinuations that he has sexual relations with minors were false and defamatory.” This is the core of Drake's argument: that UMG knowingly amplified a false and damaging narrative.

Drake initially filed the lawsuit against UMG in January 2025, asserting that the corporation “waged an unrelenting campaign” to promote “Not Like Us.” UMG countered by arguing that Drake simply “lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated.” The label framed the situation as a lyrical clash, not a calculated act of defamation.

Judge Jeannette A. Vargas sided with UMG's perspective. She ruled that “the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts.” This ruling hinged on the understanding that diss tracks are inherently exaggerated and not meant to be taken literally.

Kendrick Lamar and Drake [2:1]

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