Drake appeals UMG ruling

Drake is asking a federal appeals court to revive his defamation case against Universal Music Group after a New York judge threw it out last year. (musicbusinessworldwide.com) His lawyers filed a reply brief on April 17 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the last scheduled merits brief in the appeal. The court’s public docket shows Drake’s opening brief was due January 21, UMG’s response was due March 27, and Drake’s reply was due April 17. (blackenterprise.com) (justia.com) The new filing says the trial judge made a “reversible error” by relying on material outside Drake’s complaint and by resolving factual questions too early. Drake’s lawyers argue the case should be sent back so the lower court can reconsider whether listeners could take Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” as stating actual facts. (musicbusinessworldwide.com) (completemusicupdate.com) The appeal keeps alive a case that began in the Southern District of New York on January 15, 2025, when Aubrey Drake Graham sued UMG Recordings over the release and promotion of “Not Like Us.” Drake says the song’s “certified pedophile” lyric was defamatory and damaged his reputation. (justia.com) (abcnews.com) Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the suit on October 9, 2025, ruling that the lyrics amounted to nonactionable opinion in the context of a “heated rap battle.” Coverage of the opinion said the court found a reasonable listener would hear hyperbole and insult, not a verifiable factual accusation. (billboard.com) (cbsnews.com) UMG is urging the Second Circuit to leave that ruling in place. In its March appellate brief, the label said Drake’s position would “critically undermine” rap by stripping diss lyrics of context and treating exaggeration as defamation. (rollingstone.com) Outside groups have also weighed in on UMG’s side. Reports on the appeal say two groups of legal scholars filed amicus briefs on April 3 backing the dismissal and warning against a broader rule that could expose rap lyrics to more defamation claims. (digitalmusicnews.com) (msn.com) The case now sits with the appeals court after the briefing schedule closed on April 17. The next step is typically oral argument or submission to a panel for decision, which will determine whether Drake gets another shot in the trial court or whether the dismissal stands. (justia.com) (blackenterprise.com)