Drake Faces Strong Opposition
Drake was met by a strong refutation at Universal Music Group in response to his recent lawsuit about defamation, and the label claimed that the rapper’s lawsuits were associated with “(losing) the battle of rap” with Kendrick Lamar.
Universal’s Legal Defense
Universal’s lawyers filed a motion to reject Drake’s claim, describing his accusations as “meritless” and suggesting that his judicial claims are an attempt to recover from the musical exchange.
“The plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost the rap battle he instigated and in which he willingly participated,” the statement read. “Instead of accepting the loss, like an unhealthy rap artist, whom he often portrays himself as, he filed a lawsuit against his own label in a misguided attempt to heal his wounds.”
Drake’s initial claim accused Universal of the statement and publication “Not the Same Us” as part of a supposed “campaign to create a viral blow,” which purportedly made “false actual allegations” about him.
In its response, Universal emphasized Drake’s own involvement in the musical exchange, highlighting his use of “hyperbolic insults” and “counter-protective accusations” during the dispute. The label’s legal team also pointed out that the lyrics from “Not Like Us” are protected under the first amendment, stating: “Diss tracks are a popular and established art form, centered around outrageous insults, and they would be severely chilled if Drake’s lawsuit were permitted to undermine this tradition.”
The Universal memorandum also mentioned Drake’s previous support for legislation that limits the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court, noting: “As Drake himself acknowledged, in terms of rap, ‘the latest work is a product of the artist’s vision and imagination.’”
