In the latest development of the high-profile feud between rap titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit. The Toronto rapper initiated legal action against UMG, alleging the label promoted Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” which contains incendiary allegations against him.
UMG’s legal team did not mince words in their response, stating, “Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated.” They further contended, “Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds.” UMG’s attorneys argue that Drake’s complaint is “utterly without merit” and should be dismissed with prejudice.
Adding a layer of shade, UMG’s motion opened by quoting a line from Drake’s 2009 track “Successful,” where he raps, “Diss me, you’ll never hear a reply for it.” This move underscores UMG’s stance that Drake’s lawsuit contradicts his previous public persona of remaining unbothered by diss tracks.
The feud escalated in March 2024 when Lamar released “Not Like Us,” a track that won a Grammy and labeled Drake a “certified pedophile.” Drake’s lawsuit claims that UMG’s promotion of the track amounted to defamation and caused him reputational harm. However, UMG maintains that the song’s content is protected as nonactionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole rather than factual statements.
This legal battle has not only captivated fans but also sparked debates within the music industry about the boundaries of artistic expression and the role of record labels in artist disputes. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will navigate the complex interplay between free speech and defamation in the context of rap battles.
