Drake Seeks to Revive Defamation Case Against UMG with New Appeal

## Drake’s Appeal Filed in Defamation Case

Drake has officially initiated the appeal process regarding his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, linked to Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning track “Not Like Us.” This action took place in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, marking a significant step in his legal battle.

### Dismissal of the Original Lawsuit

On October 9, a federal judge dismissed Drake’s lawsuit, stating that the lyrics describing Drake as a “certified pedophile” were deemed “non-actionable opinion.” Following the ruling from Judge Jeannette A. Vargas, Drake promptly announced his intention to appeal. He is seeking to overturn this decision through the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

### Legal Context of the Case

Judge Vargas emphasized the importance of context in her opinion. She pointed out that “Not Like Us” cannot be seen as a factual accusation about Drake’s character. The judge noted that an average listener wouldn’t assume a diss track stems from factual investigation but rather from artistic expression.

### Drake’s Claims Against UMG

Drake initially filed his lawsuit in January, asserting that “Not Like Us” aimed to falsely suggest he is a criminal pedophile. Interestingly, he did not pursue legal action against Lamar directly but focused on Universal Music Group. He alleged that the company was aware of the false nature of the statement when it distributed the song, and he accused UMG of collaborating with Spotify to enhance the track’s appeal. UMG, however, firmly rejected these claims in their dismissal motion.

### Examination of Extended Rap Battle

In her dismissal, Judge Vargas indicated that the defamation allegations should be viewed in the context of the ongoing rivalry between Drake and Lamar. Throughout their exchanges, both artists have engaged in increasingly provocative insults. She referenced Drake’s earlier release, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” where AI-generated vocal samples stirred the pot regarding Drake’s character, further illustrating the layered nature of their lyrical confrontations.

### Contextual Analysis of Lyrics

Judge Vargas concluded that “Not Like Us” doesn’t exist in isolation and requires contextual understanding. She pointed out that Lamar’s lines, including one that suggests Drake has a preference for younger women, should be analyzed alongside Drake’s previous lyrics in “Taylor Made Freestyle.” The similarities suggest a direct connection between their works, enhancing the complexity of the case.

Could this ongoing legal saga reshape the way artists express controversial opinions in their music?