Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit over its promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, arguing that the rapper is only suing because he “lost a rap battle he provoked.”
The filing submitted in New York takes a direct shot at Drake, stating that instead of accepting defeat, he has turned to legal action in an effort to save face. “Plaintiff’s Complaint is utterly without merit and should be dismissed with prejudice,” the motion reads.
Drake’s lawsuit, filed in January, alleges that UMG “approved, published, and launched a campaign” to turn Not Like Us into a viral hit, despite its alleged intent to portray him as a “criminal pedophile” and encourage “vigilante justice.” However, UMG’s response counters that the track is “rhetorical hyperbole, not fact,” and that Drake cannot claim defamation based on opinion. The label also points out that Drake previously criticised legal attempts to use rap lyrics as factual evidence, signing a petition against the practice less than three years ago.
In a statement to Variety, Drake’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb dismissed UMG’s motion as a “desperate ploy” to avoid accountability. He accused the company of profiting from “dangerous misinformation” that has allegedly led to real-world violence.
The lawsuit remains ongoing, with Drake seeking legal recourse against what he describes as corporate exploitation. UMG, meanwhile, maintains that his claims have no legal standing and are simply an attempt to rewrite the outcome of a public feud.
Published – March 18, 2025 12:08 pm IST
