Judge Jeannette Vargas threw out the case earlier this October.
Drake is taking further legal action following the dismissal of his lawsuit against Universal Music Group. The rapper’s legal team has officially filed a Notice of Appeal in a New York court, contesting the decision to throw out his defamation claim tied to Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us.” A copy of the filing was obtained by Music Business Worldwide.
The case was originally dismissed on October 9 by U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, who ruled that the lyrics in question fall under protected opinion rather than actionable defamation. In her decision, Vargas emphasized the importance of context, noting that the song emerged from an ongoing rap battle and should be interpreted within that framework.
According to the judge, listeners do not reasonably view a Kendrick Lamar song as a factual report or the result of a neutral investigation. She stated that the average audience understands such lyrics as expressive and competitive, not as verified or provable claims.
Drake’s lawsuit accused UMG of defamation, arguing that the label knowingly promoted a song containing false and damaging allegations. He further claimed that Universal prioritized corporate profit over the safety and well-being of its artists by supporting the release and promotion of the track despite being aware of its controversial content.
With the appeal now underway, the high-profile dispute between the artist and his label remains unresolved.
Stay tuned for further updates as the case develops.
