Drake appeals dismissal of defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

Drake has officially appealed the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over the distribution of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” 

The appeal was filed on January 21 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, signaling that the rapper is continuing to challenge the court’s earlier ruling.

The original lawsuit, filed in January 2025, accused UMG of defamation for releasing and promoting “Not Like Us,” which includes lyrics referring to Drake as a “certified pedophile.” Drake’s legal team argued that the song caused serious reputational harm and that UMG’s marketing of the track amplified the alleged defamatory claims. Kendrick Lamar was not named as a defendant in the case.

In October 2025, U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the lawsuit before it reached trial. The ruling determined that the statements made in the song constituted non-actionable opinion rather than factual assertions, granting UMG’s motion to dismiss under federal procedural rules.

Drake’s appeal challenges that interpretation, asserting that the lyrics in question were presented as an “unambiguous matter of fact” rather than artistic opinion. His legal team further argues that UMG misled consumers through its promotional efforts, intensifying the impact of the allegations and contributing to personal and professional damage.

Following the dismissal, Drake filed a notice of appeal in November, formally initiating the appellate process. Universal Music Group has until March 27 to submit its response brief.

The case has drawn widespread attention within the music industry, raising broader questions about artistic expression, diss tracks, and the legal boundaries between opinion and defamation in hip-hop culture. Representatives for Drake and UMG have been contacted for comment, but neither has publicly responded at this time.