Overview
- Drake lodged his appeal on Jan. 21, 2026, asking the Second Circuit to revive his defamation case against Universal Music Group.
- The suit targets UMG for releasing and promoting Not Like Us, which refers to him as a "certified pedophile" and urges placing him on "neighborhood watch."
- His brief asserts that millions of listeners understood the lyrics as factual allegations that harmed his reputation and raised safety risks.
- U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the case in October 2025, finding the statements were rhetorical hyperbole within a heated rap battle and noting Drake’s own inflammatory diss track.
- UMG maintains the song conveys nonactionable opinion, and its response to the appeal is due March 27, 2026, with the dismissal remaining in effect during the appeal.