Videos by According2HipHop
Drake is not slowing down his efforts in his defamation suit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 hit record Not Like US.
After the song remained atop the music charts for most of that year, Drake took legal action. The rap star brought several companies into the litigation and accused them of defamation. Namely, UMG, after he alleged that they conspired to execute a mass promotion of the song. Particularly the lyric where he is referred to as a “certified pedo**ile”
UMG Says Drake Used Their Platform to ‘Attack’ Kendrick
Drake has appealed a judge’s 2025 decision to dismiss the lawsuit. However, in response to Drake’s appeal, UMG insists that he is sucking on sour grapes. Especially because he used their platform to “attack” Kendrick in a similar fashion.
“Although Drake had used UMG’s platform to attack Lamar in equally incendiary terms, he now claims UMG defamed him by releasing the recording, that the track violates N.Y. Penal Law, and that UMG’s promotion of it violated N.Y. General Business Law (GBL),” the filing reads as caught by XXL.
The filing also adds: “[Drake] seeks to strip words from their context and deem them actionable defamation if anyone, anywhere, might treat them as factual,” it continues. “That is not the law, and Drake’s view would critically undermine a highly creative art form built on exaggeration, insult, and wordplay. Drake’s Penal Law and GBL arguments fare no better. This Court should affirm the dismissal.”
Universal Music Group responds to Drake's appeal and claims the rapper used the label to attack Kendrick Lamar and now wants a new standard.
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) March 31, 2026
On March 27, Universal Music Group filed a response to Drake's appeal of his dismissed defamation lawsuit regarding Kendrick Lamar's "Not… pic.twitter.com/yZ8lqZIbG8
The latest filing by UMG led to mixed reactions from fans on social media.
“Was Family Matters promoted as much as Not Like Us was promoted?” one fan asked on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Still trying to sue over a diss track is Nasty Work. Having a classic diss track that’s being sued about is just legendary!!” a second user added.
“To say something can never be defamatory simply cuz it’s in a rap song is crazy,” a third user chimed in.
At the time of writing, Drake has not responded to the comments made by UMG.
