Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by rapper Drake against his record label. The lawsuit centers around fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claims falsely portrays him as a criminal and pedophile. In the motion, UMG argues that Drake’s lawsuit is misguided and lacks merit.
The label contends that Drake willingly participated in a rap battle with Lamar and is now attempting to use litigation to compensate for his perceived loss. “Drake was right then and is wrong now,” the motion states, referring to Drake’s previous criticism of the legal scrutinizing of rap lyrics as factual evidence. “His unjustified claims against UMG are no more than an attempt to save face.”
UMG further asserts that “Not Like Us” lyrics are protected speech, reflecting nonactionable opinions and rhetorical hyperbole common in the hip-hop genre rather than factual statements.
The label maintains that Drake’s claims of defamation, harassment, or violations of New York General Business Law are unfounded.
Umg argues against defamation claims
In response to the motion, Drake’s attorney, Michael J.
Gottlieb accused UMG of trying to distract from the real issue. “This motion is a desperate ploy by UMG to avoid accountability,” Gottlieb said. “We have every confidence that this case will proceed and uncover UMG’s long history of endangering, abusing, and taking advantage of its artists.”
Drake filed the lawsuit in January, alleging that UMG approved and promoted the track in a campaign intended to defame him and incite vigilante justice based on fabricated accusations.
The rapper claims that the song has led to public backlash and real-world violence against him. This high-profile litigation highlights the ongoing tensions between artistic expression, defamation, and corporate accountability in the music industry. As one of the biggest stars in the business clashes with his own record label, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of hip-hop and the artist-label relationship.
Image Credits: Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
