Drake vs. UMG: Legal Battle Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Heats Up

Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) concerning Kendrick Lamar's track "Not Like Us" has intensified, with recent legal exchanges highlighting the ongoing dispute.

In a letter dated February 24, 2025, addressed to Judge Antonio Vargas, Drake's attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, countered UMG's assertion that Drake intended to withdraw significant allegations from his lawsuit. Gottlieb clarified that UMG's concern pertained to a singular factual claim and that any modification to the lawsuit would be minimal.

The contention centers around a pre-trial conference scheduled for April 2, which UMG seeks to postpone to allow Judge Vargas time to consider their forthcoming motion to dismiss the case, expected by March 17. Conversely, Gottlieb advocates for maintaining the original schedule and urges UMG to commence the evidence discovery process, which the company has thus far resisted, deeming it "premature" given the current status of the case.

Gottlieb emphasized the urgency of proceeding without delay, citing Kendrick Lamar's performance of "Not Like Us" during the Super Bowl halftime show as an example of the ongoing harm to Drake's reputation. He noted that postponing discovery would unjustly prejudice Drake, who continues to endure the repercussions of UMG's alleged defamatory actions. Gottlieb highlighted that while UMG has been delaying proceedings, they have simultaneously launched new campaigns to further disseminate the contentious content, including during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which attracted over 133.5 million viewers.

Drake's lawsuit, filed in January in a New York federal court, accuses UMG of defamation and harassment. The complaint alleges that UMG "approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track that falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and calls for violent retribution against him." Drake contends that UMG employed unlawful methods to amplify "Not Like Us," such as clandestinely funding fake streams and radio play, with the financial motive of generating substantial revenue and devaluing Drake's brand to gain leverage in contract renegotiations.

The lawsuit also references incidents purportedly resulting from the song's release, including a shooting at Drake's Toronto residence that injured a security guard and multiple trespassing events, attributing these occurrences to UMG's actions.

As the legal battle progresses, the court's decisions on scheduling and discovery will significantly influence the trajectory of this high-profile case.

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