Drake's lawyers claim Kendrick's lyrics damage his reputation
Drake's lawyers claim that Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us" has made many people believe that Drake is a pedophile. This statement was part of their legal answer to Universal Music Group’s (UMG) request to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit. Drake's attorneys filed their response on Thursday. They countered UMG’s argument that Kendrick’s lyrics are protected by free speech because they use exaggerated and metaphorical language, which is common in rap music. The lawyers insisted that millions understood the lyrics as a serious accusation. UMG’s lawyers suggested that Drake is only taking legal action because he lost a rap battle. They also asked the judge to prevent further investigation in the case, claiming that Drake is seeking sensitive documents, such as Kendrick’s record deal, which may not be needed if the motion to dismiss is approved. However, Drake's team argued that UMG did not adequately explain why gathering this information would be too burdensome. The lawsuit, filed in January, alleges that Universal promoted Kendrick’s song to spread a false claim that Drake is a criminal pedophile. Drake's lead attorney criticized UMG’s response as a “desperate ploy” to avoid responsibility. He vowed to continue revealing UMG's history of mistreating its artists.