UMG Defends Hip-Hop Artistry in Response to Drake's Lawsuit Appeal
Universal Music Group (UMG) is responding to Drake's appeal to revive his lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us," claiming that Drake is trying to undermine the art of hip-hop due to losing a rap battle. Drake had accused UMG of defamation for releasing Lamar's diss track, which called him a "certified pedophile." However, a judge dismissed the case, stating that rap battle insults are not considered factual statements.
UMG argues that Drake's appeal is unfounded as it seeks to remove words from their artistic context, which would harm the creative nature of hip-hop that relies on exaggeration and wordplay. Lamar's song "Not Like Us" was a significant hit that won Grammy Awards and was a highlight of his Super Bowl halftime show, marking a victory in their feud.
Drake's decision to sue UMG in 2025 surprised the music industry, especially since it was in response to a diss track. The lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Jeannette Vargas, who deemed the lyrics as hyperbolic opinions rather than factual statements. In his appeal, Drake's lawyers argued that the lyrics caused reputational harm, but UMG emphasized the importance of considering the context of rap music.
UMG's lawyers highlighted that the genre of rap is known for its provocative language and insults, and Drake's attempt to isolate the "pedophile" statement from its context is not supported by the law. The case will be presented before the appeals court in the coming months, with a decision expected within the next year. Drake's legal team has not provided a comment on the matter.