Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a strong motion to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit against the company over the promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us.” The label argues that Drake’s legal action stems from the rapper “losing a rap battle” and is an attempt to “heal his wounds” from the defeat.
The motion, filed earlier today and reviewed by Variety, takes a direct approach in requesting the dismissal. It claims that Drake “provoked and willingly participated” in the rap battle, yet instead of accepting the loss, he is suing his own record label. UMG describes the lawsuit as “utterly without merit” and urges the court to dismiss it with prejudice.
UMG’s filing also references Drake’s past stance on the issue of prosecutors using rap lyrics as factual evidence. Less than three years ago, Drake signed a petition criticizing such practices. However, UMG argues that Drake’s current complaint contradicts his earlier position, stating, “Drake was right then and is wrong now.” The motion suggests that the lawsuit is merely Drake’s attempt to save face following his failed rap battle with Lamar.
In its motion to dismiss, UMG asserts that Drake’s defamation claim holds no ground. The company argues that it is unreasonable to expect them to promote Drake’s diss tracks against Lamar while criticizing Lamar’s “Not Like Us” in the same breath. UMG claims that the track contains “nonactionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole,” not facts, meaning they cannot be accused of malice. They further argue that Drake failed to establish a case for “harassment in the second degree” under New York General Business Law.
Drake’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, responded to UMG’s motion in a statement to Variety, calling it a diversionary tactic. “UMG wants to pretend that this is about a rap battle to distract from a simple truth: a greedy company is being held accountable for profiting from dangerous misinformation that has led to violence,” Gottlieb said. He expressed confidence that the case would proceed and expose UMG’s history of mistreating its artists.
Drake filed his lawsuit in New York earlier this year, accusing Universal of promoting Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” as a viral hit that falsely labeled him as a criminal pedophile. Drake claims the song encourages public vigilante justice against him.
In addition to this case, Universal also filed a motion to dismiss a separate petition by Drake in Texas, where the rapper sought a pre-suit deposition. The company argued that there was no evidence supporting Drake’s claims that UMG artificially promoted “Not Like Us” following its release in May 2024.
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