In a riveting legal drama unfolding in New York, a federal judge is weighing the complexities of the rap world in a defamation case brought by the renowned artist, Drake, against Universal Music Group. This legal confrontation arises from the lyrical feuding in Kendrick Lamarโs hit track โNot Like Us,โ which Drake claims has defamed him. Universal, which represents both artists, argues that the lyrics are a staple of rap cultureโcrafted hyperbole common in the genreโs tradition of lyrical sparringโand is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
During a spirited hearing, Judge Jeannette Vargas delved into the cultural nuances of hip-hop, a genre known for its raw creativity and sharp verbal dueling. As the musicโs poetic nature clashed with the formal setting of a federal courtroom, Vargas questioned who the โordinary listenerโ might beโsomeone who picks up on the intricate references or otherwise. โThereโs so much specialized and nuanced in these lyrics,โ she mused.
Neither Kendrick Lamar nor Drake attended the court session that day. The lawsuit traces back to a stormy rivalry between the two hip-hop giants over one of 2024โs defining tracks. The song in question bagged prestigious accolades such as the record of the year and song of the year awards at the Grammys, achieved record-breaking streams on Apple Music, and significantly contributed to the most viewed Super Bowl halftime show to date.
โNot Like Us,โ released amidst a series of musical jabs between the two artists, pointedly targets Drake, questioning his authenticity by branding him as a โcolonizerโ of rap and alienating him from the roots of West Coast rap represented by Lamarโs native Compton, California. The track further alludes to sensitive aspects of Drakeโs private life, with insinuating comments like โI hear you like โem young,โ claims that Drake firmly refutes.
In his lawsuit, Drake asserts that the song wrongly accuses him of abhorrent acts and supports dangerous stereotypes, thus jeopardizing his safety and reputation. He cites incidents such as attempted break-ins and the shooting of a security guard at his Toronto residence, which he connects to the negative imagery perpetuated by โNot Like Us.โ The songโs cover art featuring an aerial photo of his mansion amplifies these allegations.
Drakeโs attorney, Michael Gottlieb, argued that Universal strategically transformed the song into a national phenomenon, transcending the typical hip-hop audience that might understand the contextual backstory and lyrical exaggeration. โThe average listener could be a 13-year-old whoโs dancing to the song at a bar mitzvah,โ Gottlieb noted, prompting the judge to comment humorously, โThat would be a very interesting bar mitzvah.โ
Universalโs counsel, Rollin Ransom, emphasized that the song was merely part of an ongoing tit-for-tat between Drake and Lamar, explaining that the escalated verbal jabs are characteristic of the artistic expression in rap battles. โWhat you hear in these rap battles is trash-talking in the extreme, and it is not, and should not be treated as, statements of fact,โ he asserted, while apologizing for the explicit language inherent in performing some lyrics from Drakeโs own retaliatory track โTaylor Made Freestyle.โ
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Universal. Drake also targeted iHeartMedia, alleging in a separate Texas filing that the broadcaster accepted illegal payments from Universal to amplify airplay of โNot Like Us.โ iHeartMedia has denied these accusations, and the matter was settled in March.
Interestingly, Drake has not pursued legal action against Kendrick Lamar himself.