Drake Appeals Judge’s Decision to Dismiss ‘Not Like Us’ Lawsuit

Drake has officially filed an appeal to revive his lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Kendrick Lamar regarding the diss track, “Not Like Us.” On October 9, Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the lawsuit, stating that Lamar’s lyrics about Drake being a “certified pedophile” were hyperbole and could not be taken seriously.

The appeal:

• Drake’s legal team did not provide any specific arguments in the appeal.

• A representative for Drake said in a statement: "This confirms our intent to appeal, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing that filing in the coming weeks.”

• This move is expected as Drake’s legal team suggested they would appeal the dismissal soon after it was handed down.

• The anticipated claim from Drake’s camp will be a direct opposition to the core of the Judge’s dismissal: that the general public believed Lamar’s lyric about Drake being a pedophile.

• Initial filings for the case included the following assessment: “Millions of people, all over the world, did understand the [song] as a factual assertion that the plaintiff is a pedophile.”

• Another expected claim is that Judge Vargas dismissed the case prematurely, preventing Drake from having a chance to prove the allegations.

• If the appeal is accepted, Judge Vargas will hear more discovery and then potentially send the case to a jury trial, a process that could last years.