Drake files final appeal

Drake has filed his final appellate brief to revive his lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” (complex.com) The new filing comes in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where Drake has been trying since January 21, 2026, to overturn Judge Jeannette Vargas’s October 9, 2025 dismissal. (musicbusinessworldwide.com) Drake sued Universal in January 2025, alleging the label distributed and promoted “Not Like Us” even though he says the song falsely portrayed him as a “criminal pedophile.” Judge Vargas threw out the case after ruling the lyrics were “nonactionable opinion” in the context of a rap battle. (cbsnews.com) The appeal keeps alive one of the last active legal fronts from the 2024 Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud, which had already moved from songs to court filings, Grammy wins, and a Super Bowl halftime performance. (deadline.com) Drake’s lawyers argue the lower court created a rule that treats rap diss tracks as opinion by default, even when lyrics can be understood as factual accusations. Universal has argued the dismissal should stand and that the song fits the exaggeration and insult typical of battle rap. (complex.com) (musicbusinessworldwide.com) The case is now also drawing outside legal arguments. Two groups of scholars filed amicus briefs backing Universal and warning that Drake’s theory could chill artistic expression and weaken First Amendment protections for rap lyrics. (billboard.com) (yahoo.com) Outside court, the feud is still being framed as competition as much as conflict. In a new interview, Baby Keem said watching Kendrick Lamar and Drake go at each other “felt like a sport.” (hiphopwired.com) (complex.com) The appeal does not reopen the case by itself; it asks the Second Circuit to reverse the dismissal and send the lawsuit back for further proceedings. For now, the biggest rap feud of 2024 is still producing paperwork in 2026. (ca2.uscourts.gov) (justia.com)