ArtistDirect News
Drakes Legal Battle With Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamars Not Like Us Reaches Appeal Stage
A federal judge dismissed Canadian rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in October 2025, but the artist has filed an appeal to bring the case back before a jury. The lawsuit, filed in 2024, alleged that UMG had defamed Drake by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” and inflating its streaming numbers.
According to court filings, the original complaint claimed that UMG’s actions constituted harassment and defamation, and that the company had acted with “bad faith” in supporting Lamar’s track. The judge found the claims insufficient to survive a motion to dismiss, and the case was closed. Drake’s appeal, submitted in January 2026, seeks to overturn that dismissal and argue that the judge misapplied the law.
UMG has until March 27, 2026 to file a response to the appeal. If the appeal is denied, the case will be remanded to the district court for a new decision. The outcome will determine whether the lawsuit can proceed to a jury trial.
The legal dispute is part of a broader feud that began in 2013 when Drake responded to Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” The two artists have exchanged diss tracks, including Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Drake’s “Family Matters.” The conflict has drawn in other rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross, and the Weeknd.
Drake’s public comments about the lawsuit and the feud have been brief. In a 2021 interview, he said he felt “above the industry” and that his recent album ICEMAN was a response to the ongoing tensions. He has also expressed frustration with UMG’s alleged bias, claiming the label “picked sides” in the feud.
Beyond the legal battle, Drake’s career has been shaped by his early relationship with Lil Wayne. In a 2011 interview with Billboard, Drake explained that he signed with Young Money/Cash Money/Universal because of loyalty to his mentor. He said, “That was me being loyal. That’s why my deal is structured the way it is.” The partnership gave Drake the distribution infrastructure he needed to launch his debut album Thank Me Later in 2010.
Drake’s discography includes six U.S. number‑one albums, including Certified Lover Boy (2021) and Iceman (2026). He has sold more than 170 million units worldwide and holds the record for the most number‑one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 among male solo artists.
The lawsuit’s dismissal and subsequent appeal highlight the complex relationship between artists and major labels. While UMG remains the world’s largest music company, artists like Drake continue to challenge the company’s influence over streaming metrics and public perception.
At present, the case is pending on appeal. UMG’s response deadline is March 27, 2026, after which the court will decide whether the lawsuit can proceed to a jury. The outcome will have implications for how record labels manage artist disputes and how artists can seek legal recourse against perceived bias.
The feud with Kendrick Lamar and the legal battle with UMG underscore the high stakes of modern hip‑hop rivalries, where public statements, streaming numbers, and legal actions intertwine to shape an artist’s career trajectory.
According to court filings, the original complaint claimed that UMG’s actions constituted harassment and defamation, and that the company had acted with “bad faith” in supporting Lamar’s track. The judge found the claims insufficient to survive a motion to dismiss, and the case was closed. Drake’s appeal, submitted in January 2026, seeks to overturn that dismissal and argue that the judge misapplied the law.
UMG has until March 27, 2026 to file a response to the appeal. If the appeal is denied, the case will be remanded to the district court for a new decision. The outcome will determine whether the lawsuit can proceed to a jury trial.
The legal dispute is part of a broader feud that began in 2013 when Drake responded to Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” The two artists have exchanged diss tracks, including Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Drake’s “Family Matters.” The conflict has drawn in other rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross, and the Weeknd.
Drake’s public comments about the lawsuit and the feud have been brief. In a 2021 interview, he said he felt “above the industry” and that his recent album ICEMAN was a response to the ongoing tensions. He has also expressed frustration with UMG’s alleged bias, claiming the label “picked sides” in the feud.
Beyond the legal battle, Drake’s career has been shaped by his early relationship with Lil Wayne. In a 2011 interview with Billboard, Drake explained that he signed with Young Money/Cash Money/Universal because of loyalty to his mentor. He said, “That was me being loyal. That’s why my deal is structured the way it is.” The partnership gave Drake the distribution infrastructure he needed to launch his debut album Thank Me Later in 2010.
Drake’s discography includes six U.S. number‑one albums, including Certified Lover Boy (2021) and Iceman (2026). He has sold more than 170 million units worldwide and holds the record for the most number‑one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 among male solo artists.
The lawsuit’s dismissal and subsequent appeal highlight the complex relationship between artists and major labels. While UMG remains the world’s largest music company, artists like Drake continue to challenge the company’s influence over streaming metrics and public perception.
At present, the case is pending on appeal. UMG’s response deadline is March 27, 2026, after which the court will decide whether the lawsuit can proceed to a jury. The outcome will have implications for how record labels manage artist disputes and how artists can seek legal recourse against perceived bias.
The feud with Kendrick Lamar and the legal battle with UMG underscore the high stakes of modern hip‑hop rivalries, where public statements, streaming numbers, and legal actions intertwine to shape an artist’s career trajectory.