During the Super Bowl halftime show last February 10, 2025, held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kendrick Lamar's performance of "Not Like Us" reached millions of viewers worldwide. This controversial track now stands at the center of a defamation lawsuit—not against Kendrick himself, but against Universal Music Group (UMG), the powerhouse label behind the release.
Drake's legal strategy specifically avoids targeting Kendrick Lamar, instead focusing on UMG's role in the song's promotion and distribution. The lawsuit alleges that UMG played an instrumental role in securing the Super Bowl performance slot, potentially amplifying any damages from alleged defamation.
Could Drake Have Prevented the Super Bowl Performance?
One legal option Drake’s team had was to file for an injunction. An injunction is a type of restraining order that prevents an action from happening—in this case, the performance of "Not Like Us" at the Super Bowl. However, Drake’s legal team did not take this step.
Should Drake Sue Kendrick Lamar Personally?
From a legal standpoint, I don’t think Drake should sue Kendrick for two main reasons:
It Would Be Hypocritical
The argument against Drake pursuing personal litigation against Kendrick Lamar rests on both legal and strategic grounds. Firstly, Drake's own participation in hip-hop's tradition of diss tracks could undermine a defamation claim. Courts often consider the context and customs of an industry when evaluating such cases.
Drake has already released his own diss tracks aimed at Kendrick. If he were to sue Kendrick personally for defamation, it would come across as contradictory and could further damage his public image.
He Already Had the Opportunity
When Drake sued UMG in January 2025, he could have included Kendrick in the lawsuit but chose not to. Drake also knew the song would be performed at the Super Bowl and did not take legal action to prevent it. Furthermore, Kendrick has been performing "Not Like Us" live since its release, and the track recently won five Grammys. Given all of this, suing Kendrick now seems unlikely to achieve Drake’s goal of holding UMG accountable for allegedly promoting a song that harmed him.
Historical Precedents: When Labels Get Caught in the Crossfire
The dynamics between artists and labels have fundamentally shifted in the past decade, revealing a sophisticated understanding of corporate accountability in the music industry. Take Lil Wayne's 2015 legal battle with Cash Money Records—a case that brilliantly illustrated how artists can address systemic issues without severing crucial creative partnerships. Wayne's approach demonstrated remarkable finesse, targeting structural problems while preserving the artistic ecosystem that had nurtured his success.
Perhaps no case better exemplifies this evolution than Taylor Swift's master recordings dispute with Big Machine Records. Swift's strategy transcended simple legal maneuvering—it became a masterclass in artist empowerment. By re-recording her albums as "Taylor's Version," she transformed a corporate conflict into a movement that resonated with both artists and audiences, fundamentally reshaping how we think about music ownership in the digital age.
The Social Media Factor: When Legal Battles Go Viral
The emergence of social media has introduced unprecedented complexity to music industry disputes, from private legal matters to public conversations about artist autonomy and corporate responsibility. Megan Thee Stallion's 2020 label dispute exemplified this new paradigm—her strategic transparency on social platforms didn't just generate support; it redefined how artists can advocate for themselves while maintaining professional integrity.
Modern Defamation in the Digital Age
Today's music industry operates in an ecosystem where reputation and revenue are inextricably linked to digital presence. The traditional metrics of defamation damage—radio plays and physical sales—have evolved into a complex web of streaming algorithms, playlist positioning, and digital engagement metrics. This shift demands a more sophisticated understanding of how reputational harm translates into tangible impact.
Legal Battles in Hip-Hop Need More Than Just Bars
A lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar seems unnecessary and unlikely to help Drake’s case. The legal battle against UMG is already underway, and Kendrick’s performance at the Super Bowl was just one of many instances where the song has been publicly played.
What do you think? Should Drake sue Kendrick Lamar personally for defamation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to my YouTube Channel for more legal reactions like this!
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