Drake Files Appeal After Judge Dismisses Defamation Lawsuit Over Not Like Us
Canadian rapper Drake has officially filed an appeal following a federal judge's dismissal of his defamation lawsuit last year, which was directly linked to Kendrick Lamar's controversial track Not Like Us, according to reports from PEOPLE magazine. The legal battle centers around lyrics that Drake claims have severely damaged his reputation and personal safety.
The Origins of the Legal Dispute
According to court documents and PEOPLE's coverage, Drake initiated legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging that the music label was responsible for the release and aggressive promotion of Kendrick Lamar's song. The track, which emerged in May 2024 during a highly publicized feud between the two hip-hop giants, contains explicit lyrics that label Drake as a "certified pedophile" and suggest he should be "placed on neighborhood watch."
Drake, who has been signed to Universal Music Group for over a decade, argued in his original lawsuit that UMG not only approved and published the song but actively orchestrated a marketing campaign to transform the diss track into a viral sensation. He claimed these actions directly contributed to widespread belief in the damaging allegations, affecting his global image and potentially endangering his safety.
Court's Initial Ruling and Legal Arguments
In October 2025, a federal judge in New York ruled against Drake, determining that the lyrics in question did not constitute defamation. The court emphasized that Not Like Us was created and released within the context of a "heated rap battle" between two prominent artists. The judge stated that a reasonable listener would understand the exchange as part of artistic rivalry filled with insults and exaggeration rather than accepting the words as verified factual statements.
Judge Vargas specifically noted in her ruling: "The recording was published as part of a heated public feud, in which both participants exchanged progressively caustic, inflammatory insults and accusations. This is precisely the type of context in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric, or hyperbole rather than factual assertions."
Drake's Appeal and Legal Team's Position
Drake's legal team, led by attorney Michael J. Gottlieb, filed new court papers on January 21, 2026, arguing that the original ruling establishes what they call a "dangerous precedent" for the music industry. They contend that the judge's decision effectively creates an unprecedented legal standard that rap lyrics in diss tracks can never be treated as statements of fact, regardless of their content or impact.
In court documents, Gottlieb wrote: "The court effectively created an unprecedented and overbroad categorical rule that statements in rap diss tracks can never constitute statements of fact. If rap diss tracks cannot contain statements of fact, then they are inoculated from any liability for defamation—no matter how direct and damaging the defamatory statements they contain. This case illustrates that."
The legal team further argued that accusing someone of being a "certified pedophile" represents one of the most serious allegations possible in society, with potential to cause significant harm to an individual's reputation and personal security. They maintain that many listeners worldwide have interpreted the lyrics as factual claims, resulting in tangible damage to Drake's public image.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Following the dismissal, Drake's representatives immediately announced their intention to pursue the matter through the appeals process. A spokesperson stated at the time: "We intend to appeal today's ruling, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it."
The legal proceedings continue to unfold, with lawyers representing Universal Music Group having until March 27, 2026, to formally respond to Drake's appeal. This case has attracted significant attention within both the entertainment industry and legal circles, as it addresses important questions about artistic expression, defamation law, and the boundaries of lyrical content in musical feuds.
Interestingly, the legal action coincided with other high-profile events in the music world. According to PEOPLE's reporting, Kendrick Lamar's celebrated Super Bowl performance occurred shortly after Drake initially filed his lawsuit against Universal Music Group in January 2025, adding another layer of timing and context to this ongoing saga between two of hip-hop's most influential figures.
