Rapper Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group in New York, claiming that they artificially inflated and promoted the song “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. However, the record label has now filed a motion to dismiss the case, stating that Drake is only suing because he “lost a rap battle” he provoked.
According to Variety, Universal’s filing argues that Drake signed a public petition criticizing prosecutors using artists’ creative expression against them, yet now claims that UMG promoted defamatory lyrics. The company notes that it cannot promote one artist’s diss tracks while not doing the same for another’s.
The motion also states that “Not Like Us” contains non-actionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole, meaning it cannot be accused of acting with malice. Additionally, Universal claims that Drake failed to state a claim for harassment in the second degree and does not have a basis for the suit.
This is not the first time Universal has pushed back against Drake’s claims. In Texas, the company filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s separate petition for pre-suit deposition, citing lack of evidence in his claims that they artificially inflated and promoted “Not Like Us.”
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/drake-label-files-dismiss-lawsuit-165122337.html