Universal Music Group (UMG) is pushing to shut down a lawsuit brought by Drake, one of its biggest stars, over the promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us.” The legal clash stems from a fiery rap rivalry that has escalated beyond music into the courtroom. UMG has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s claims, arguing that they lack substance and infringe on artistic rights, while Drake insists the label’s actions damaged his reputation and safety.
The conflict traces back to May 2024, when Kendrick Lamar dropped “Not Like Us,” a scathing track that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With lyrics accusing Drake of serious misconduct, including references like “Certified Lover Boy, certified pedophiles,” the song fueled their ongoing feud. Drake, in response, filed lawsuits in Texas and New York, alleging that UMG, his own label, used shady tactics like payola and bots to inflate the song’s success. He claims this promotion not only tarnished his image but also led to real-world consequences, such as an armed attack at his Toronto home in May 2024 that injured his security guard.
In his federal defamation lawsuit, filed on January 15, 2025, in New York, Drake accuses UMG of orchestrating a deliberate campaign against him. He argues that the label’s decision to heavily promote “Not Like Us” was driven by profit, not artistic support, and seeks accountability for what he calls a betrayal by his longtime partners.
UMG isn’t backing down. In a motion to dismiss filed on January 23, 2025, in Texas, the label calls Drake’s accusations baseless. They assert that “Not Like Us” is protected under the First Amendment as artistic expression, a cornerstone of rap battles where exaggerated insults are the norm. UMG denies any use of payola or unethical promotion, stressing that it makes no sense for them to sabotage Drake, a key artist in their roster. Their legal team has labeled the lawsuit a retaliatory move to suppress Lamar’s creativity, urging the court to toss it out entirely.
Legal experts are skeptical about Drake’s odds. Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell told Newsweek that proving defamation in this context is an uphill battle, given the creative leeway courts typically grant artists in rap feuds.
“Fans expect hyperbole, not facts,”
he noted, suggesting Drake’s case may struggle to hold up. For more on this perspective, see this Newsweek analysis. The consensus leans toward UMG having a strong defense rooted in free speech protections.
As of March 18, 2025, the case remains unresolved. In Texas, UMG’s motion to dismiss is pending, with a hearing set for January 28, 2025. Meanwhile, the New York lawsuit is advancing into discovery, with a pretrial conference scheduled for April 2, 2025. Both sides are digging in, and the outcome could hinge on whether Drake can produce solid evidence of UMG’s alleged misconduct or if the courts side with the label’s free expression argument.
