Drake's Label Wants His Revised ‘Not Like Us' Lawsuit Dismissed: Legal ‘Blather'
In its new motion to dismiss Drake's recently filed amended complaint, Universal Music Group (UMG) ridicules the rapper's argument that the NFL's decision to ban the word 'pedophile' from Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance supports his allegation that 'Not Like Us' is defamatory.
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'Drake's new allegations are astonishing,' UMG's new motion filed late today reads. 'The focus of Drake's new claims — that 'the largest audience for a Super Bowl halftime show ever' did not hear Lamar call Drake or his crew pedophiles — betrays this case for what it is: Drake's attack on the commercial and creative success of the rap artist who defeated him, rather than the content of Lamar's lyrics.'
It goes on to skewer Drake, and his recent wave of legal filings, as an alternative reason the NFL censored the song on Feb. 9, 2025 — three weeks after Drake initially sued UMG. 'Drake contends that the decision not to include the word 'pedophiles' (as used in the phrase 'certified pedophiles') in Lamar's Super Bowl performance could only reflect that the language is defamatory, but this ignores any number of other explanations for the decision — such as threats by Drake of additional meritless litigation,' the new 33-page filing obtained by Rolling Stone reads. 'These allegations, directly aimed at chilling legitimate artistic expression safeguarded by the First Amendment and New York law … are meritless.'
A spokesperson for UMG issued a follow-up statement today evening after the new motion was filed. 'Nowhere in the hundred-plus page 'legal' blather written by Drake's lawyers do they bother to acknowledge that Drake himself has written and performed massively successful songs containing equally provocative taunts against other artists. Nor do they mention that it was Drake who started this particular exchange,' the statement sent to Rolling Stone reads. 'Apparently, Drake's lawyers believe that when Drake willingly participates in a performative rap battle of music and poetry, he can be 'defamed' even though he engages in the exact same form of creative expression.'
UMG is asking the judge overseeing the case in federal court in Manhattan to dismiss the 107-page amended complaint for failure to state any viable claims. Drake's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment sent today.
The nine-track rap battle at the center of the legal war started making headlines in April 2024. It exploded when Drake released 'Family Matters' on May 3, 2024. The song insinuated that Lamar had cheated on his fiancée and was physically violent with her. Lamar responded with the back-to-back drops of 'Meet the Grahams' and 'Not Like Us,' with the latter's hook of 'certified lover boy, certified pedophile' becoming an instant and ubiquitous viral sensation.
Lamar was declared the victor in the court of public opinion. Drake regrouped with his lawyers and took the matter to civil court. In November, he filed exploratory petitions seeking records from UMG, iHeartMedia and Spotify. He accused the companies of scheming to artificially inflate the success of 'Not Like Us.'
On Jan. 15, Drake dropped his initial 81-page lawsuit accusing UMG of defamation and harassment. He laid all the blame on UMG, claiming the company, not Lamar, released and promoted the track, so it should be held liable for his alleged damages. Drake claimed his lawyers sent UMG a letter last July that warned he was suffering 'concrete and substantial harm.' The letter specifically referenced the May 7, 2024, drive-by shooting outside Drake's Toronto home that wounded a security guard. Drake alleges the shooting was motivated by the backlash sparked by 'Not Like Us.'
In his lawsuit, Drake claims UMG used 'every weapon in its arsenal' to turn 'Not Like Us' into a monster hit at his expense. He claims the song was 'intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile.' He accused UMG of choosing 'corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists.'
In the statement from UMG shared today, the spokesperson says Drake and his lawyers can 'keep seeking to 'uncover' evidence of wild conspiracies as to why one song that upset Drake had massive global appeal, but there is nothing to 'uncover.'' The secret to the song's success, the spokesperson says, is that UMG works 'tirelessly in partnership' with its artists to 'achieve global success.'
'Our continuing partnership with Drake and his enduring success is a shining example,' the spokesperson says. 'Despite his lawyers' attempts to silence other artists and threaten the companies that work with them, we remain committed to propelling Drake's career while maintaining our unwavering support of all our artists' creative expression. Drake's included.'
In its prior motion to dismiss Drake's initial complaint, UMG said Drake encouraged the rap war and now wants to change the rules. 'Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated. Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds,' lawyers for UMG wrote last March. The label says no 'reasonable' listener truly believes Drake is a 'certified pedophile.'
Experts tell Rolling Stone the bar is high for Drake to succeed with his lawsuit. They say music, and battle rap in particular, is an art form where insults are considered rhetorical hyperbole protected by the First Amendment.
'Not Like Us' became the bestselling rap recording of 2024 and won several Grammy Awards, including one for Song of the Year. Lamar performed the song at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show to a record audience.
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