Drake is refusing to let his legal battle with Universal Music Group fade away quietly.
The Toronto-born rapper has officially filed an appeal challenging the dismissal of his lawsuit connected to Not Like Us, the viral diss track released by longtime rival Kendrick Lamar.
The original suit, filed in January, accused UMG of defamation and harassment. Drake alleged that the label deliberately amplified the song’s reach while promoting what he claims is a false and damaging narrative about him.
However, in October, a judge threw out the case, ruling that lyrics exchanged during a heated rap feud would not be interpreted as factual claims by a reasonable listener.
“The broader context of a heated rap battle would not incline the reasonable listener to believe the song imparts verifiable facts,” the judge wrote at the time.
Now, Drake is pushing back. In his opening appellate brief, the In My Feelings hitmaker argues that the lower court overstepped its bounds. He maintains that the accusations in the song were presented as statements of fact and warns that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent—one that shields artists and record labels from accountability.
Universal Music Group is expected to file its response by March 27.
The renewed legal fight comes as anticipation continues to build around Drake’s forthcoming album, Iceman, which has yet to receive an official release date.