Universal Music Group Responds to Drake's Defamation Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's Lyrics

Universal Music Group Responds to Drake's Defamation Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's Lyrics

Universal Music Group (UMG) has responded to Drake's attempts to revive his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit related to Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us." In a recently filed appellate brief, UMG characterizes Drake's arguments as fundamentally flawed and "nonsensical," asserting that he is attempting to "turn the law upside down."

The comprehensive 83-page filing, which was obtained by Rolling Stone, references U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas's ruling from last October, which classified Lamar’s lyrics regarding Drake as "nonactionable opinion" and declared that they did not constitute statements of fact. UMG's legal team emphasized that while Drake has freely criticized Lamar using provocative language, he is now seeking a different standard of judgment for the "words he dislikes."

The judge's previous ruling indicated that Lamar’s lyrics were a response to Drake’s earlier works, observing that, within the context of a competitive rap exchange, reasonable listeners would interpret them as exaggerated rather than factual assertions. She articulated, “In light of the overall context... the court holds that it cannot [be understood as defamatory].”

The legal dispute commenced in April 2024 and escalated following the release of Drake's track “Family Matters,” in which he accused Lamar of domestic abuse. In turn, Lamar responded with two songs, one of which, "Not Like Us," features the provocative line “certified lover boy, certified pedophile,” which sparked significant viral commentary.

UMG asserted that the lyrics from both artists were part of an ongoing artistic discourse, highlighting that Lamar’s mention of Drake's alleged preference for young girls was a direct reply to Drake's previous lyric involving underage dating.

The record label criticized Drake's position as hypocritical, considering that he had previously endorsed a petition against the use of rap lyrics as confessions in legal situations. UMG contended that Drake is now contradicting his past stance for self-serving motives.

In his appeal brief filed in January, Drake argued that Lamar's lyrics definitively label him as a "certified pedophile" and posited that the lawsuit deserves to be adjudicated by a jury. He expressed concern that dismissing his lawsuit could set dangerous precedents, potentially shielding artists from accountability for severe and damaging claims. UMG's response reaffirms the belief that artistic expression, particularly in the realm of rap, should be safeguarded within its creative framework.