The Express Tribune reports that Drake has filed an appeal after a judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), tied to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The dismissal reportedly hinged on a finding that the lyrics were non‑actionable opinion; Drake’s appeal argues the track caused measurable reputational harm.
Reuters is cited as noting Drake’s team argues UMG’s marketing and distribution amplified allegedly defamatory claims, while AP News is cited as confirming the appellate process is underway.
**Echotitbits take:** Drake is choosing a business‑logic target: the distributor, not the artist. If courts ever broaden liability around diss tracks, labels could face new risk frameworks for marketing and promotion. Still, the bar to win a defamation appeal over artistic expression is typically high.
Source: AOL – https://www.aol.com/articles/drake-appeals-dismissal-not-us-224500392.html (January 22, 2026)
Photo Credit: AOL 2026-01-22
