Drake's Legal Battle Over Diss Track Heats Up

Drake's ongoing legal dispute with Universal Music Group regarding the promotion of Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" is progressing. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has announced that oral arguments for Drake's appeal are set for December 4. This hearing will be the final step before a decision is made in the case.

Drake initiated the lawsuit against UMG at the beginning of 2025, citing claims of defamation, harassment, and deceptive business practices. The initial lawsuit was dismissed in October 2025, as the court determined the lyrics constituted nonactionable opinion and did not meet the criteria for defamation.

Following the dismissal, Drake filed an appeal, asserting that the ruling could establish a problematic categorical rule. His legal team argues that prohibiting defamation cases based on rap lyrics creates an "unprecedented and overbroad categorical rule" against factual statements within the genre.