Graham v. UMG Recordings, Inc.
Case Number:
1:25-cv-00399
Court:
Nature of Suit:
Judge:
Firms
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October 30, 2025
Defamation Litigation Roundup: Drake, IRS, Greenpeace
In this month's review of defamation fights, Law360 highlights notable developments in California's anti-SLAPP law following a major Ninth Circuit opinion, as well as a decision — and appeal — in Drake's fight with his record label over Kendrick Lamar's diss track.
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October 09, 2025
UMG Beats Drake's 'Not Like Us' Diss Track Defamation Suit
A New York federal judge Thursday tossed Drake's defamation suit against Universal Music Group over the hip-hop artist's rival Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," saying the diss track's lyrics accusing Drake of being a "certified pedophile" are opinion and trash talk, not factual statements that are actionable.
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June 30, 2025
UMG Says Drake Insults Are Just Trash Talk, Not Defamation
Universal Music Group on Monday urged a New York federal judge to dismiss a defamation suit from hip-hop star Drake against the record label over the hit dis track "Not Like Us" by his rival Kendrick Lamar, casting Lamar's lyrics as opinion and hyperbole.
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April 04, 2025
Defamation Litigation Roundup: Jay-Z, Blake Lively, Drake
In this month's review of ongoing defamation fights, Law360 looks back on an escalation in Jay-Z's case against personal injury lawyer Tony Buzbee, who he accuses of pursuing a "false" and "malicious" rape suit, as well as on the war of words between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.
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March 17, 2025
Drake 'Lost A Rap Battle That He Provoked,' UMG Tells Court
Universal Music Group urged a New York federal judge Monday to throw out Aubrey Drake Graham's lawsuit over the hit Kendrick Lamar diss track "Not Like Us," saying Drake cannot claim defamation for hyperbolic insults that came out of a rap battle "in which he willingly participated."
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January 15, 2025
Drake Says Violence Followed UMG Boosting 'Pedo' Claim
Universal Music Group chose greed over the safety of its artists when it launched a campaign to boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar's single "Not Like Us," which the record label knew falsely accused Drake of being a "certified pedophile," the Canadian rapper alleged Wednesday in a Manhattan federal lawsuit.