UMG Seeks To Dismiss Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

Universal Music Group (UMG) has moved to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the label, arguing that the Canadian rapper’s allegations are a misguided attempt to recover from his high-profile rap feud with Kendrick Lamar.

UMG Pushes Back Against Drake’s Claims

Universal Music Group (UMG) has formally requested the dismissal of Drake’s defamation lawsuit, calling it a baseless attempt to recover from his widely perceived defeat in last year’s rap battle against Kendrick Lamar.

In a legal filing on Monday, the record label stated, 

Drake lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated. Instead of accepting that reality, he has chosen to sue his own label in an effort to protect his image.

Drake and Lamar are both signed to UMG under different divisions, making the lawsuit especially unusual.

The Battle That Led to the Legal Feud

Throughout 2024, the rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar played out in a series of diss tracks, with both artists taking shots at each other. Lamar’s Not Like Us emerged as the defining track of the feud, becoming the top-selling rap song of the year and securing multiple Grammy wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. It also ruled Spotify during the summer, making it one of the most streamed songs of 2024.

Lamar’s momentum carried into 2025, with a massive Super Bowl halftime show performance that had fans enthusiastically singing along to Not Like Us, further cementing his victory in the eyes of many.

Drake’s Allegations Against UMG

In November, Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, filed a lawsuit claiming that UMG deliberately boosted Not Like Us by engaging in manipulative promotional tactics, including an alleged payola scheme with iHeartRadio. While Drake reached a settlement with iHeartMedia last month, his case against UMG is still active.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, argues that UMG defamed Drake by pushing a "false and malicious narrative" that favored Lamar. However, UMG has strongly denied any wrongdoing, previously stating that the idea it would work against one of its own artists is “offensive and untrue.”

UMG’s Argument for Dismissal

In its latest filing, UMG argued that Drake’s lawsuit lacks merit and should be dismissed entirely. The label pointed out that Not Like Us, like many diss tracks in hip-hop, is filled with exaggerated insults that are not meant to be taken literally.

UMG also highlighted that Drake himself had released tracks making incendiary claims about Lamar, including allegations of domestic abuse and paternity rumors involving Lamar’s child. The filing stated, 

Drake had no issue using UMG’s platform to promote his own attacks on Lamar. Now, after losing the battle, he wants to claim defamation. It doesn’t work that way.

The label further noted that Drake actively encouraged the feud, releasing Push Ups in April 2024, followed by Taylor Made Freestyle, which he dropped on social media before later removing it due to legal threats from Tupac Shakur’s estate over the use of AI-generated vocals.

UMG’s lawyers argued that diss tracks are a core part of hip-hop culture and allowing Drake’s lawsuit to move forward would create a chilling effect on artistic expression. UMG’s filing referenced Drake’s own past stance on the use of rap lyrics in legal cases. In 2022, he was among the artists who signed an open letter condemning the use of lyrics as evidence in criminal trials.

“Drake was right then, and he is wrong now,” UMG stated, arguing that his lawsuit contradicts the principles he once supported.

Drake’s Response

Drake’s legal team pushed back against UMG’s claims, calling the motion a diversionary tactic. Drake’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb stated, 

UMG is trying to frame this as a simple rap battle to distract from the real issue: a powerful corporation manipulating the industry for profit at the expense of its own artists. This motion is a desperate attempt by UMG to avoid accountability. We are confident that this case will move forward and expose the record label’s long history of exploiting its artists.

Drake’s Latest Music and Industry Standing

Despite the ongoing legal battle, Drake continues to release music. His latest album, Some Sexy Songs 4 U, a collaborative project with PartyNextDoor, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 last month.

However, its sales figures were relatively modest compared to his past releases. The album was partially released under Republic Records, a subsidiary of UMG, the very company he is suing.

What’s Next?

The court will decide whether Drake’s lawsuit moves forward or if UMG’s request for dismissal is granted. The outcome could have major implications for how defamation laws apply to rap music, particularly diss tracks.

For now, the case remains a flashpoint in both the music industry and hip-hop culture, with fans and legal experts closely watching how it unfolds.

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