Drake Files Appeal Over Dismissal of Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group

Summary

• Drake’s legal team filed a Notice of Appeal in a New York court, challenging the dismissal of his lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
• The lawsuit was dismissed by District Judge Jeannette Vargas, who ruled that the lyrics were “non-actionable opinion”given the context of a rap battle
• Drake accused UMG of prioritizing “corporate greed” over its artists’ safety by promoting the diss track despite knowing the allegations were false

Drake is challenging the dismissal of his lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), with his legal team officially filing a Notice of Appeal in a New York court. A copy of the filing was obtained by Music Business Worldwide.

The Boy’s infamous legal battle against his record label was dismissed by District Judge Jeannette Vargas on October 9. She explained that the rap battle’s context was necessary to fully understand the lyrics of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Judge Vargas wrote, “The average listener is not under the impression that a diss track is the product of a thoughtful or disinterested investigation, conveying to the public fact-checked verifiable content.”

Drizzy’s lawsuit accused UMG of defamation over the release and promotion of Dot’s “Not Like us.” He alleged that the label prioritized “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists” by allowing Lamar to drop the track despite knowing that the “inflammatory and shocking allegations” included in the song were false.

Stay tuned for more info.

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