Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has escalated into a legal battle over scheduling. His attorneys are pushing back against UMG’s attempts to delay proceedings, citing the rapper’s Super Bowl performance as a crucial factor.
In a letter to Judge Antonio Vargas on February 24, Drake’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, responded to UMG’s claim that his client was preparing to withdraw key allegations. Gottlieb dismissed the accusation, arguing that the dispute revolves around a single factual issue that, even if revised, would have little impact on the lawsuit.
The clash centers on a pre-trial conference set for April 2. UMG is seeking to postpone the hearing, hoping the judge will first rule on its motion to dismiss the case, which is due by March 17. Drake’s legal team opposes the delay, insisting the conference proceed as planned. They are also pushing for discovery to begin—something UMG has resisted, calling it premature given the pending dismissal request.
Gottlieb argues that waiting only amplifies the damage caused by UMG’s alleged misconduct. In court filings, Drake accuses the company of orchestrating a campaign to turn “Not Like Us” into a viral hit despite its defamatory lyrics. The song, he claims, falsely paints him as a pedophile and incites violence against him.
The lawsuit further alleges UMG employed “unlawful” tactics to inflate the track’s popularity, including manipulating streaming numbers and radio play. To support his defamation claim, Drake cites an avalanche of online hate speech branding him a sex offender. He also references a shooting at his Toronto home shortly after the song’s release, which left a security guard injured, along with multiple trespassing incidents.
According to Drake, UMG bears responsibility for the fallout, and delaying the case only prolongs the harm.
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