Pop Culture and Law

The world of hip-hop took a dramatic legal turn when Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over the diss track “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.

At the center of the dispute were allegations that the song’s lyrics went beyond entertainment, making serious claims about Drake’s personal life and reputation. Drake argued that UMG, his own label, promoted and profited from a track containing false and damaging statements.

UMG’s defense was that the lyrics were part of a long-standing rap tradition—creative expression, not literal accusation. They maintained that diss tracks use exaggeration and hyperbole to entertain, not to defame. Drake just appealed, so stay posted to see what happens next!