Drake's Appeal in 'Not Like Us' Lawsuit Against Kendrick Lamar Takes a New Turn
In a shocking turn of events, Drake has filed an appeal against the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar. The lawsuit stems from Lamar's song 'Not Like Us,' which was released in May 2024 and sparked a heated rap battle between the two artists.The Lawsuit: A Heated Rap Battle
Lamar dropped 'Not Like Us' as the final blow in a fierce back-and-forth between the two artists. The song dominated the charts, winning five Grammy Awards, including record and song of the year. It also became a centerpiece of Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance. However, Drake answered not with another track, but with legal action, claiming UMG had defamed him by aggressively amplifying the song's reach through questionable promotional tactics.
The Judge's Ruling: A 'Hyperbolic' Opinion
In October, Judge Jeannette Vargas threw out the case, determining that Lamar's lyrics amounted to 'hyperbolic' opinion rather than actionable defamation. The judge ruled that a reasonable listener wouldn't view them as 'sober' factual claims capable of being proven true or false.
Drake's Appeal: A 'Dangerous' New Rule
In the newly filed appeal, Drake's lawyers sharply criticize that decision, calling it 'indefensible.' They argue that the ruling overlooked evidence that fans perceived the song as a 'factual indictment of Drake.' The lawyers claim that the judge created a 'dangerous' new rule shielding rappers from defamation lawsuits altogether.
The Implications: A Chilling Effect on Hip-Hop
UMG's attorneys are expected to submit a response in the coming weeks. When they do, it will likely maintain that Judge Vargas simply followed established principles surrounding defamation and free expression. However, Drake's legal team addressed this issue head-on in Wednesday's filing, pointing out that 'rap lyrics are regularly used as evidence in criminal cases.' They argue that if rap lyrics can be understood to contain statements of fact in the criminal context, then it must follow that reasonable listeners could understand them similarly for purposes of defamation.
The appeal has sparked a heated debate about the role of rap lyrics in defamation lawsuits. As the case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the implications will be far-reaching and have significant consequences for the music industry as a whole.
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