After testing the waters with two pre-litigation petitions last November, Drake filed a sweeping federal defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group on Wednesday (Jan. 15), accusing Universal Music Group of releasing Kendrick Lamar’s ( “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. This polarizing chess move has turned some hip-hop fans off. Drizzy may ultimately lose the legal battle, according to two legal experts.
Entertainment lawyers weigh in on Drake lawsuit
Drake is holding Universal Music Group accountable for releasing and promoting “Not Like Us,” which branded the Canadian rap star a child predator. However, Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles defamation and media lawyer at Lovell Law Firm, believes the OVO chief’s chances of winning are slim.
“Drake will likely lose on the core defamation claims he makes in his lawsuit,” Lovell told XXL. “Musical content and creativity are protected by broad free speech. Unless the lyrics are shown to the public to be true, songs are generally considered ‘entertainment’ and not actionable. Furthermore, Drake also does Lamar was accused of domestic violence over the same thing, so Drake will be seen as having ‘dirty hands’ in court, which is the defense Universal can raise.
Lovell also believes Drake made the right move by not adding Kendrick Lamar to the suit.
“Drake and his team wisely named Kendrick Lamar as a defendant because many of the legal theories are based on Universal’s marketing practices, which they allegedly used to exploit Lamar’s songs and make them It’s more successful, and that has nothing to do with Lamar as an artist,” Lovell added. “Furthermore, it would likely be awkward for Drake to sue Lamar for a lyrical war in which both parties knowingly and willingly engaged. By focusing this primarily on negotiating leverage, deceptive practices, and payments, Drake is pursuing the record label rather than pulling Marr came to save face while also being able to assert his defamation claims.
Entertainment and defamation attorney Camron Dowlatshahi agreed, but said the outcome of the case could still be in Drake’s favor.
“It’s hard to imagine, but not impossible, to imagine a world where Drake and Universal settle this lawsuit and he continues to use the brand,” Daurashahi said. “Most likely, Drake will choose to sign with another label or release his music exclusively through his own label. He may not immediately get the kind of promotion he’s accustomed to. But for Drake It might be a good thing for Grams to let the controversy die down so he can make a comeback when fans are hungry for his new music. “
READ MORE: The wildest claims in Drake’s 81-page defamation lawsuit against UMG
UMG responds to Drake’s new lawsuit
In response to Drake’s new lawsuit, a UMG spokesperson released the following statement to XXL:
“Not only are these claims untrue, but it is illogical to think that we would seek to harm the reputation of any artist, let alone Drake. We have invested heavily in his music and our employees around the world were unaware of it for years. Working tirelessly helped him achieve historic business and personal financial success.
Throughout his career, Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to channel his music and poetry into traditionally shocking back-and-forth “rap battles” to express his feelings toward other artists. He is now seeking to use the legal process to suppress the artist’s creative expression and seek compensation from Universal Music Group for releasing the artist’s music.
We have not and will not engage in defamation of any individual. At the same time, we will vigorously defend this lawsuit to protect our people and our reputation, as well as any artists who may be directly or indirectly targeted by frivolous lawsuits for doing nothing but writing songs.
Drake has yet to comment publicly on the legal action.
