Toronto, Canada – In a recent legal development, Universal Music Group (UMG) has moved to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Canadian rapper Drake over a contentious track released by fellow artist Kendrick Lamar. The dispute centers around Lamar’s Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us,” which includes lyrics that Drake claims have tarnished his reputation and endangered his personal safety.
According to court documents submitted on Monday in Manhattan federal court, UMG defends the song’s lyrics as protected free speech under the First Amendment, describing them as “rhetorical hyperbole” rather than factual statements. The label also highlighted Drake’s previous advocacy against the use of artists’ lyrics in criminal proceedings as contradictory to his current stance.
“Not Like Us” specifically names Drake and controversially labels him and others as “certified pedophiles,” an allegation that Lamar made through his lyrics. This song debuted in the wake of Drake’s own track “Family Matters,” which was released a day earlier and accused Lamar of various personal and family indiscretions.
The legal battle initiated by Drake—real name Aubrey Drake Graham—in January, argues that the accusations in Lamar’s song prompted security concerns, leading to attempted break-ins and compelling him to withdraw his child from school for safety reasons. Drake seeks compensation for defamation and harassment through his lawsuit.
Michael Gottlieb, representing Drake, has dismissed UMG’s attempt to have the lawsuit thrown out as a “desperate ploy” to deflect from their alleged mistreatment of artists. “We have every confidence that this matter will proceed and reveal further instances of UMG’s disregard for the wellbeing of its artists,” Gottlieb stated.
The feud between Drake and the Pulitzer Prize-winning American rapper Kendrick Lamar spans roughly a decade, with “Not Like Us” achieving significant commercial success. It clinched Grammy Awards for both record and song of the year, enjoyed multiple weeks at the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, and gained further exposure following Lamar’s performance at a recent Super Bowl halftime show.
UMG has characterized Drake’s legal actions as a facade to salvage his public image after what many see as his defeat in a high-profile rap battle against Lamar, a sentiment echoed by various critics and fans.
This ongoing litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York is formally cited as Graham v UMG Recordings Inc., case number 25-00399.
As developments continue to emerge in this high-stakes clash between two of rap’s biggest names, the artistic community and their fan bases watch closely, aware that the outcome could have lasting implications on the industry’s handling of artist disputes and freedom of expression in music.
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