Drake’s Attorneys Fight UMG Lawsuit Appeal

The legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG) is heating up as the rapper’s attorneys have filed a reply brief in their appeal. This move comes after a judge previously ruled in favor of UMG, dismissing Drake’s defamation lawsuit concerning Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”

Arguments Against the Dismissal

According to Music Business Worldwide, Drake’s legal team presented their arguments to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on April 17th. They contend that the initial judge, Jeannette Vargas, made a “reversible error” by improperly dismissing the lawsuit. The core of their argument is that the judge relied too heavily on information outside the official court filings, weighed evidence, made factual findings against Drake’s well-stated claims, and drew unfavorable inferences against him.

Drake’s lawyers from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP argue that UMG’s response largely overlooks the allegations in the amended complaint, instead focusing on an external version of events. Furthermore, they claim the judge should have treated UMG’s motion to dismiss as a motion for summary judgment, a step that would have allowed Drake’s team to contest the evidence and present their findings from the early stages of discovery. This opportunity, they argue, was unfairly denied.

Scholarly Support and UMG’s Stance

This appeal follows amicus briefs filed by two groups of scholars on April 3rd, who supported Drake’s appeal. These scholars agreed with the judge’s initial decision, arguing that “Not Like Us” should be considered protected opinion rather than actionable defamation. They believe Drake’s appeal should be rejected.

UMG’s previous response characterized Drake’s lawsuit as hypocritical. They pointed out that Drake intentionally used UMG to distribute his own music and engage in rap battles, suggesting he now seeks to use the legal system to stifle creative expression. The label argues that Drake cannot simultaneously benefit from UMG’s distribution services for his own lyrical battles and then sue them when a diss track targeting him is released.

A Timeline of the Legal Dispute

Drake initially filed the defamation lawsuit against UMG Recordings in January 2025. The case was dismissed in October 2025, prompting Drake’s decision to appeal the ruling in January 2026. The current appeal brief represents a significant step in his ongoing effort to challenge the dismissal.