Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s updated defamation lawsuit, calling the rapper’s new claims baseless and driven by personal rivalry, not facts.
Drake recently amended his lawsuit against UMG, his record label, arguing that Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance supports his case.
He claimed that Lamar’s decision to leave out a controversial lyric from the song ‘Not Like Us’ during the halftime show is proof that the label knew the lyrics were harmful and defamatory.
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In the new court filing, UMG rejected Drake’s claims. The label said the Super Bowl performance didn’t include the word Drake is concerned about, which they say proves nothing.
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Instead, they argued that the rapper is targeting the success of another artist after losing in a public rap feud.
UMG also called out Drake for being inconsistent. They pointed out that he has released popular songs filled with strong lyrics aimed at other artists.
According to UMG, it makes little sense for Drake to claim he was defamed when he has used the same approach in his own music.
“Drake’s new allegations are astonishing, The focus of Drake’s new claims – that ‘the largest audience for a Super Bowl halftime show ever’ did not hear Lamar call Drake or his crew pedophiles – betrays this case for what it is: Drake’s attack on the commercial and creative success of the rap artist who defeated him, rather than the content of Lamar’s lyrics,” they argued.
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The label added that the lawsuit seems more like an attempt to shut down another artist’s success rather than a serious legal case.
They suggested that Kendrick Lamar’s global reach with ‘Not Like Us’ was due to the public’s interest and not any scheme to damage Drake’s image.
UMG also stated that it continues to support all its artists, including Drake, and will not stop defending its creative freedom.
They said this case does not reflect their real relationship with the rapper and accused his lawyers of using legal threats to silence other voices in music.
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Drake and his team have not yet responded to the filing. The rapper’s updated lawsuit runs over 100 pages and was filed at the height of his music battle with Lamar.
In it, he claimed UMG helped push a song that he believes was meant to damage his career and reputation.
