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\u00a0<\/p>\n The legal battle between\u00a0Drake\u00a0and\u00a0Kendrick Lamar\u00a0over\u00a0Not Like Us<\/em>\u00a0has escalated beyond a simple rap feud, igniting broader discussions about the\u00a0boundaries of artistic expression, defamation, and corporate responsibility.[1]<\/a> Drake has already sued\u00a0Universal Music Group (UMG)\u00a0over the song, claiming it contains false and defamatory allegations that have harmed his reputation.[2]<\/a> But with Lamar\u2019s\u00a0Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance amplifying the song\u2019s reach to 133.5 million viewers[3]<\/a>, some are questioning whether\u00a0Drake could\u2014or should\u2014take legal action\u00a0against Lamar himself.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At its core, this dispute raises a fundamental legal question:\u00a0when does music\u2014especially in the context of high-profile, global performances\u2014cross from protected free speech into reputational harm that deserves legal intervention?[5]<\/a>\u00a0And if legal action isn\u2019t the answer,\u00a0should the law impose stronger accountability on labels and broadcasters that profit from spreading potentially defamatory content?[6]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Drake\u2019s lawsuit against\u00a0UMG\u00a0argues that the label\u00a0knowingly profited from defamatory material\u00a0in\u00a0Not Like Us<\/em>, prioritizing controversy and profit over his right to protect his reputation.[7]<\/a> Legal experts are\u00a0skeptical\u00a0that the lawsuit against\u00a0UMG\u00a0will hold up in court.[8]<\/a> Samantha Barbas, a legal historian specializing in defamation, commented: \u201cI don\u2019t think the case is strong at all.\u201d[9]<\/a> Rap battles and diss tracks have\u00a0historically been protected under the First Amendment, as courts recognize the genre\u2019s\u00a0use of metaphor, exaggeration, and artistic hyperbole.[10]<\/a> For example, in\u00a0Bailey v. Mathers<\/em>, a court ruled in favor of Eminem when his former classmate sued him for defamation over lyrics in\u00a0Brain Damage<\/em>, finding that the song\u2019s depiction was clearly hyperbolic and part of artistic expression.[11]<\/a> The judge even delivered the ruling in the form of a rap[12]<\/a>, emphasizing the genre\u2019s reliance on figurative language and artistic storytelling as protected speech. Even if a diss track implies something damaging, proving that\u00a0listeners took it as a factual statement rather than an artistic expression\u00a0is a difficult legal hurdle.[13]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Attorney Ben Michael argues that since Lamar\u00a0previously performed\u00a0Not Like Us<\/em>\u00a0to large audiences without legal action from Drake, the Super Bowl alone wouldn\u2019t change the legal dynamics.[14]<\/a> Michael notes, \u201cI don\u2019t see why Lamar performing this song at the Super Bowl would suddenly cause Drake to pursue legal action against him specifically.\u201d[15]<\/a> However, the\u00a0Super Bowl Halftime Show is not just another performance\u2014it\u2019s a global event\u00a0with\u00a0corporate sponsors, league approvals, and billions in ad revenue\u00a0attached to it.[16]<\/a> While the\u00a0First Amendment\u00a0protects artistic expression,\u00a0global broadcasts with corporate backing introduce a new layer of responsibility.[17]<\/a> In this case, neither Kendrick Lamar nor the NFL are facing legal consequences for distributing a song that\u00a0Drake claims contain defamatory statements\u2014yet they\u00a0both benefited from its reach[18]<\/a>. This highlights a\u00a0gap in the law\u00a0when it comes to mass distribution of controversial content.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Drake\u2019s lawsuit against\u00a0UMG\u00a0suggests that\u00a0labels should bear more legal responsibility for defamatory content\u00a0in the music they distribute.[19]<\/a> Currently, labels can profit off\u00a0controversial or even false claims\u00a0in music without facing direct liability due to the assumption it\u2019s creative and not factual[20]<\/a>. A more\u00a0structured legal framework\u00a0could require\u00a0labels to conduct defamation reviews\u00a0before releasing high-risk content, similar to how lawyers vet books for libel.[21]<\/a> This would\u00a0not censor music but rather hold\u00a0corporations accountable\u00a0when they profit from potentially damaging content.[22]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Even if a diss track is protected speech in its original form,\u00a0what happens when that track is performed on the biggest stage in the world, backed by billion-dollar corporations? In\u00a0traditional defamation law, context matters\u2014statements made\u00a0on a global, highly-publicized platform may warrant stricter scrutiny.[23]<\/a> Courts should consider\u00a0whether mass-distributed performances (like the Super Bowl) deserve a different legal standard\u00a0when the potential reputational harm is exponentially greater than a song released on streaming platforms.[24]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Drake may\u00a0never win a lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar for his Super Bowl performance, but the\u00a0legal debates this case sparks are crucial\u00a0for the future of\u00a0music, media, and defamation law.[25]<\/a> As music feuds become\u00a0more commercialized, more legally complex, and more visible on global stages, the industry\u00a0must address the tension between free speech and reputational harm.[26]<\/a> If the law\u00a0doesn\u2019t evolve, future feuds\u00a0could lead to even greater legal battles or harm the fundamental nature of rap culture.[27]<\/a> At the very least, this moment\u00a0should force record labels, legal experts, and courts to reexamine how music law balances creativity, accountability, and corporate responsibility. This isn\u2019t just about rap\u2014it\u2019s about setting legal boundaries in an era where music, mass media, and free speech are more intertwined than ever.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Daniella Auerbach is a Second Year Law Student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo<\/p>\n School of Law and a Staff Editor at the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. Daniella<\/p>\n is interested in entertainment, sports, and corporate law.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [1]<\/sup><\/a> Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, Justin For Justice https:\/\/justinforjustice.com\/kendrick-lamar-v-drake-legal-fallout-from-the-rap-feud\/ [https:\/\/perma.cc\/3BVV-YYLF].<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Minyvonne Burke\u00a0and\u00a0Sophia Pargas, Drake files federal lawsuit accusing UMG of defamation over promotion of Kendrick Lamar\u2019s \u2018Not Like Us\u2019<\/em>, NBC News (Jan. 15, 2025 4:10 PM), https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/drake-files-federal-lawsuit-umg-defamation-promotion-kendrick-lamars-n-rcna187790# [https:\/\/perma.cc\/JC35-ESEW].<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Heran Mamo, Kendrick Lamar\u2019s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show Is Now the Most-Watched of\u00a0All\u00a0Time<\/em>, Billboard (Feb. 11, 2025) https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/rb-hip-hop\/kendrick-lamar-2025-super-bowl-halftime-show-most-watched-all-time-1235899552\/.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Taylor Burnham, Should Drake Sue Kendrick Lamar Over His Super Bowl Performance?<\/em>, Burnham Law Firm (Feb. 12, 2025) https:\/\/www.taylorburnham.com\/post\/should-drake-sue-kendrick-lamar-over-his-super-bowl-performance [https:\/\/perma.cc\/4BUQ-2TQ7].<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, supra<\/em> note 1.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, Pitcoff Law Group (@pitcofflawgroup), Instagram https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pitcofflawgroup\/reel\/DFvapMlsh8Y\/ [https:\/\/perma.cc\/9CUG-NNEH] (last visited Feb. 19, 2025).<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, supra<\/em> note 1.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Bill Donahue, With Drake Lawsuit Looming, Can Kendrick Lamar Play \u2018Not Like Us\u2019 at the Super Bowl?, Billboard Canada (Feb. 5, 2025) https:\/\/ca.billboard.com\/business\/legal\/with-drake-lawsuit-looming-can-kendrick-lamar-play-not-like-us-at-the-super-bowl#:~:text=He%20shouldn\u2019t%2C%20legal%20experts,of%20Iowa\u2019s%20College%20of%20Law. [https:\/\/perma.cc\/QD42-FR6R].<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Linox Payne, Diss Tracks & Defamation: Why Drake\u2019s Lawsuit Misses The Beat<\/em>, Medium (Jan. 19, 2025), https:\/\/medium.com\/@brklynbomber\/diss-tracks-defamation-why-drakes-lawsuit-misses-the-beat-213ae3245dee [https:\/\/perma.cc\/2YYA-WL4D].<\/p>\n [11]<\/a> Eminem Beats Back In Bully Lawsuit, CBS News (Apr. 15, 2005), https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/eminem-beats-back-in-bully-lawsuit\/ [https:\/\/perma.cc\/FHL8-Z44Q].<\/p>\n [12]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [13]<\/a> Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, supra<\/em> note 1.<\/p>\n [14]<\/a> Tom Earnshaw, Legal expert explains if Drake can sue Kendrick Lamar after controversial \u2018a minor\u2019 diss track was rapped in Super Bowl halftime show<\/em>, Lad Bible (Feb. 10, 2025) https:\/\/www.ladbible.com\/entertainment\/music\/kendrick-lamar-drake-super-bowl-halftime-show-defamation-874797-20250210 [https:\/\/perma.cc\/2PY3-ARCF].<\/p>\n [15]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [16]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, What is the economic and advertising impact of the Super Bowl?<\/em>, Do Better by Esade (Feb. 10, 2025), https:\/\/dobetter.esade.edu\/en\/super-bowl-economic-impact#:~:text=Among%20the%20world\u2019s%20major%20events,tourism%20industries%2C%22%20asserts%20L\u00f3pez. [https:\/\/perma.cc\/QWK4-9ZMU].<\/p>\n [17]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, Clayton Edwards, Will Kendrick Lamar Face Censorship While Performing \u201cNot Like Us\u201d During the Super Bowl Halftime Show?<\/em>, American Songwriter (Feb. 7, 2025) https:\/\/americansongwriter.com\/will-kendrick-lamar-face-censorship-while-performing-not-like-us-super-bowl-halftime-show\/.<\/p>\n [18]<\/a> Kendrick Lamar\u2019s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show Is Now the Most-Watched of\u00a0All\u00a0Time, supra <\/em>note 3.<\/p>\n [19]<\/a> Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, supra<\/em> note 1.<\/p>\n [20]<\/a> Nadira Goffe, Does Drake\u2019s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar\u2019s Diss Track Stand a Chance? A Lawyer Explains<\/em>, Slate (Feb. 7, 2025), https:\/\/slate.com\/culture\/2025\/02\/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-feud-not-like-us-lawsuit-umg-super-bowl-grammys.html [https:\/\/perma.cc\/E3WJ-YUZY].<\/p>\n [21]<\/a> Max Knight, Pre-publication Legal Review Of Manuscripts \u2014 Six Things To Consider, Sidebar Saturdays (March 16, 2019), https:\/\/www.sidebarsaturdays.com\/2019\/03\/16\/pre-publication-legal-review-of-manuscripts-six-things-to-consider\/ [https:\/\/perma.cc\/S8XK-WD6T].<\/p>\n [22]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, Kendrick Lamar V Drake: Legal Fallout From The Rap Feud<\/em>, supra<\/em> note 1.<\/p>\n [23]<\/a> See generally<\/em>, Social Slooth, LinkedIn https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/super-bowl-lix-halftime-show-sparks-defamation-debate-should-nchyc\/ [https:\/\/perma.cc\/5CT2-VF7J] (last visited Feb. 19, 2025).<\/p>\n [24]<\/a> Id.<\/em><\/p>\n [25]<\/a> Angel Diaz, Drake\u2019s Latest Lawsuit Isn\u2019t\u00a0Hip-Hop<\/em>, Billboard (Jan. 16, 2025), https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/rb-hip-hop\/drake-lawsuit-kendrick-lamar-hip-hop-beef-not-like-us-1235876761\/.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cardozoaelj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Picture1.jpg\")
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