Drake has filed an appeal against the dismissal of his lawsuit against Universal Music Group in respect of alleged defamatory lyrics contained in Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.
Basis Of The Appeal
The appeal centres on lyrics that allegedly describe Drake as a “certified paedophile”. His lawyers state that the line presents a direct claim, not an opinion or metaphor. The brief argues that the lower court created a rule that shields diss tracks from legal action, allowing artistes to make harmful claims without consequence.
Background Of The Lawsuit
The lawsuit began in January 2025. Drake accused Universal Music Group of pushing the track in a way that spread the claim worldwide, causing him personal and professional harm.
On 9 October 2025, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the case. She ruled that the lyrics were an opinion within a rap feud and that listeners would not treat the song as a statement of fact.
“The issue in this case is whether ‘Not Like Us’ can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a paedophile,” the judge stated. “In light of the overall context, the court holds that it cannot.”
What Drake Is Challenging
Drake’s new filing challenges that view, arguing that the phrase “certified paedophile” carries a direct meaning. The brief states that the song, its artwork, and its video present the claim as real and requests that the case be sent back to the lower court for a jury trial.
Not Like Us won Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year in 2025. Kendrick Lamar also performed the song during the Super Bowl halftime show. Universal Music Group has until 27 March 2026 to file its response.
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