Universal Music Group (UMG) has officially responded to Drake’s lawsuit, which alleges that the label defamed him through Kendrick Lamar’s diss track "Not Like Us." In a motion filed in court, UMG has asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed, arguing that Drake's claims are baseless and an attempt to "salvage his reputation after losing a rap battle."
Drake filed the lawsuit against UMG after Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, "Not Like Us," took over the internet, with many fans and critics agreeing that it delivered a devastating blow to the Toronto rapper. In his suit, Drake claimed that the song was defamatory and accused UMG of allowing Lamar to release damaging content about him under their label.
However, UMG countered these claims by stating that diss tracks are a fundamental part of hip-hop culture, where artists routinely engage in lyrical battles that include "hyperbole, exaggeration, and artistic expression." The label also pointed out that Drake himself initiated the rap battle and had previously engaged in similar diss tracks against Lamar, making his lawsuit hypocritical.
Furthermore, sources suggest that Lamar’s song was independently written and released, with UMG having no direct involvement in the lyrics or its creation. UMG’s lawyers argue that allowing the lawsuit to proceed would set a dangerous precedent for freedom of artistic expression in music.
As the legal battle unfolds, fans are eagerly watching to see how Drake navigates the fallout from his rap battle loss and whether the courts will rule in his favor.