Drake Appeals to Revive Defamation Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

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Drake is appealing a court decision that previously stopped his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” and this appeal is Drake’s attempt to revive the case.

Earlier this month, a judge dismissed Drake’s lawsuit regarding lyrics in a song by Lamar that used a highly offensive term to describe him. Drake’s legal team claimed the lyrics damaged his reputation because fans believed them to be true.

A spokesperson for Drake stated they plan to appeal the recent ruling and anticipate the appeals court will review their filing soon. Universal Music Group has not made any public statement on the matter.

The appeal could take more than a year to resolve. If Drake wins his appeal, it could reignite a long legal fight and possibly lead to further lawsuits. Drake’s legal team has formally announced their plan to appeal, but they will submit detailed legal arguments to the appeals court at a later date.

Released in May 2024 during a public dispute between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the song “Not Like Us” quickly gained popularity. It directly criticized Drake, calling him out with strong language, and went on to win five Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Record and Song of the Year.

Drake initially filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), not Kendrick Lamar, arguing they promoted a song that contained false claims about him. This was a surprising step, as it’s uncommon for artists to respond to a diss track with legal action, particularly against their own record label.

Judge Jeannette Vargas quickly dismissed the lawsuit, just ten months after it began. She explained that the lyrics in question were clearly exaggerated and not meant to be taken as true statements. While acknowledging the serious nature of the accusation made in the lyrics, she wrote that a reasonable person listening to the song – which was part of a competitive rap battle – wouldn’t believe it was presenting actual facts about the plaintiff.

Drake’s legal team will argue in their appeal that a significant number of listeners believed the song was presenting actual facts. They’ve previously stated that millions of people worldwide understood the lyrics to be claiming the plaintiff was a convicted sex offender. They also believe the case was prematurely dismissed, denying Drake the opportunity to present evidence supporting his position.

If Drake wins his appeal, the lawsuit could go back to the original judge for more investigation and might eventually go to a jury. This would prolong what’s already become one of the most talked-about legal disputes in hip-hop lately.

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2025-10-29 20:45