The fallout from Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s heated rap feud has taken a legal turn.
The Universal Music Group (UMG) seeking to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by the Canadian rapper.
UMG argues that Drake’s case is a desperate attempt to recover from a rap battle he willingly engaged in—and ultimately lost.
In its court filing, UMG’s legal team described Drake’s lawsuit as a “misguided attempt to salve his wounds,” pointing out that public lyrical battles are a core part of the hip-hop industry. The label claims that rather than accepting the outcome, Drake is now suing his own record company over the distribution of Lamar’s viral diss track, Not Like Us.
Released in March 2024, Not Like Us included pointed accusations against Drake, with Lamar calling him a “certified pedophile.” In his January 2025 lawsuit, Drake accused UMG of defamation, arguing that by backing and distributing the track, the label effectively endorsed damaging and false allegations that led to security threats at his Toronto home.
However, UMG maintains that the lyrics fall under “nonactionable opinions and rhetorical hyperbole,” common in the rap world. The label also pointed out Drake’s history of engaging in similar lyrical warfare, arguing that his lawsuit contradicts his previous stance against using rap lyrics as evidence in legal proceedings.
Drake’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, fired back, accusing UMG of attempting to “profit from misinformation” while failing to protect its own artists.
The case has ignited a larger debate about the blurred lines between artistic expression, record label responsibilities, and the real-world consequences of rap beefs. As legal arguments unfold, the industry watches closely—because in hip-hop, the battles don’t always end on the mic.
