Federal Judge Dismisses Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group, ruling that lyrics in Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track “Not Like Us” were opinion and not factual statements. The lawsuit, filed in January, alleged that Universal Music Group published and promoted “Not Like Us” despite the track containing false pedophilia allegations against Drake.
The lawsuit claimed that the track tarnished Drake’s reputation and decreased the value of his brand. However, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas rejected the suit, citing the “vitriolic war of words” between the two artists and stating that the case arose from “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history.” Kendrick Lamar was not named in the lawsuit, which was filed against Universal Music Group, the parent record label for both artists.
Background on the Feud Between Drake and Kendrick Lamar
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been ongoing for years, with both artists releasing several diss tracks about each other. The feud appeared to reach its height when Lamar called out Drake during his Super Bowl Halftime Show in February. In “Not Like Us,” released in May 2024, Lamar makes disturbing accusations about Drake allegedly having inappropriate conduct with minors, as well as questioning Drake’s talent.
Drake responded to these allegations in his own diss track, denying the claims and also addressing allegations about having a daughter. Universal Music Group, which owns both Interscope (Lamar’s label) and Republic Records (Drake’s label), denied the allegations and stated that the lawsuit was “an affront to all artists and their creative expression.” A spokesperson for Universal Music Group told CBS News, “We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
Drake Intends to Appeal the Ruling
A spokesperson for Drake stated that they intend to appeal the ruling, saying, “We look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.” This is not the first time Drake has taken legal action related to “Not Like Us.” In February, he reached a settlement with iHeartMedia in a separate court complaint filed in Texas, alleging that the company had received illegal payments from Universal Music Group to boost radio airplay for the track. Drake has also filed a similar complaint in New York against streaming giant Spotify and Universal Music Group, accusing them of conspiring to inflate streams of “Not Like Us.”
For more information on this story, visit Here.
Image Source: www.cbsnews.com
