ARTICLE · 20 FEBRUARY 2025

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Defamation Battle In The Streaming Era

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The hip-hop world has been ablaze with the feud between megastars Kendrick Lamar and Drake, culminating in a legal battle that extends beyond diss tracks. While rap beefs have historically stayed within the confines of music.

United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Pete W. Salsich III

The hip-hop world has been ablaze with the feud between megastars Kendrick Lamar and Drake, culminating in a legal battle that extends beyond diss tracks. While rap beefs have historically stayed within the confines of music, Drake has taken the dispute to court, filing a federal defamation lawsuit against Lamar's record label Universal Music Group (UMG)¹.

Aubrey Drake Graham v. UMG Recordings, Inc., Case No. 1:25-cv-00399, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 15, 2025. The Complaint raises compelling legal questions about defamation, streaming platforms, and the intersection of music and reputation.

The Allegations: When Diss Tracks Go Too Far?

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