Drake appeals dismissal of defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar diss track

Drake has appealed a dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Court documents submitted on January 21 show the rapper’s legal team arguing the ruling could set a harmful precedent for the music industry.

A federal judge in New York dismissed the lawsuit in October 2025. He concluded that Lamar’s lyrics were part of a heated rap battle and would not be understood by a reasonable listener as statements of fact. The judge ruled that the song’s accusations fell under rhetorical hyperbole rather than defamation.

Lamar released Not Like Us in May 2024 amid a highly public feud with Drake. The track includes lyrics referring to Drake as a “certified pedophile” and suggesting he be placed on “neighborhood watch,” language Drake argues caused real reputational harm.

In the appeal, Drake’s attorneys claim millions of listeners interpreted the lyrics as factual assertions. They argue the court effectively created a blanket rule that rap lyrics cannot be defamatory, regardless of how explicit or damaging the claims may be.

In the appeal, Drake’s lawyers argue many listeners took the lyrics as true. They say the ruling wrongly suggests rap lyrics can never be defamatory, no matter how serious the claims.

The judge previously rejected that view, noting both artists exchanged extreme insults and pointing to Drake’s own diss track targeting Lamar. UMG has until March 27 to respond.

UMG has until March 27 to respond to the appeal.