Additional Coverage:
- Drake’s record label files motion to dismiss his lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ (nbcnews.com)
Record Label Fires Back at Drake in Defamation Suit, Calling it a “Sore Loser” Tactic
Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit, arguing the rapper’s legal action is merely an attempt to “save face” after losing a rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. The label contends Drake’s claims are “utterly without merit.”
Both artists are signed to different divisions of UMG. The lawsuit stems from a year-long exchange of diss tracks between the two rappers, culminating in Lamar’s chart-topping hit “Not Like Us,” which many fans considered the knockout blow in their feud. Lamar’s subsequent Grammy wins and Super Bowl halftime performance further cemented his victory.
Drake accuses UMG of artificially inflating “Not Like Us” through payola and other schemes, alleging the label spread a “false and malicious narrative” to promote the track. UMG vehemently denies these allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.” While Drake recently settled with iHeartMedia over related claims, his case against UMG remains active.
UMG’s filing highlights the hyperbolic nature of diss tracks, a long-standing tradition in rap music, arguing that Drake himself has engaged in similar lyrical attacks against Lamar. The label points out Drake’s previous stance against using rap lyrics as literal fact in legal proceedings, calling his current lawsuit hypocritical.
Drake’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb, countered UMG’s motion, stating the label is attempting to deflect attention from its “long history of endangering, abusing and taking advantage of its artists.” He insists the case will continue to expose UMG’s alleged practices.
UMG claims Drake instigated the rap battle and now refuses to accept defeat. The label maintains Drake “fails to state a claim” for defamation, harassment, and violation of New York General Business Law, and that he cannot demonstrate the “actual malice” required to win a defamation case as a public figure. They further argue that allowing such a lawsuit to proceed would stifle artistic expression in the genre.