Drake won’t drop feud with UMG yet
Drake appealed a federal court decision that threw out his defamation case against Universal Music Group on Wednesday. The rapper contested an October 9 ruling that dismissed his claims about the label promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us despite false accusations about sexual misconduct with minors. Both artists record through Universal subsidiaries.
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled Lamar’s lyrics represented protected opinion rather than statements of fact within the context of their publicized dispute. The track earned over 1.7 billion Spotify streams and received a Grammy for Record of the Year. Drake’s complaint also alleged Universal used deceptive methods to boost the song’s popularity.
The appeals process could extend into 2026 as Drake’s attorneys prepare arguments for the Second Circuit. Universal representatives said the lawsuit threatened artistic expression and should never have been allowed to proceed. The company expressed satisfaction with the dismissal and commitment to supporting Drake’s recordings.
