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The initial thoughts of three: unique, puzzling, and outrageous.
We have not and do not engage in defamation against any individual, a spokesperson said.
The three lawyers whom Vulture spoke to about the case agreed a trial would be unlikely.
Below, they break down the biggest questions.
How can a song be defamation?
The right to free expression makes it difficult to prove that artistic works are defamation.
But Lovell says, in the context of a rap beef, fans arent expecting the truth.
Its more about who can get more outrageous, who can get hurtful, Lovell says.
But it doesnt make it true, it just makes it more hyperbole.
He says its a major flaw that Drakes case does not acknowledge the artistic context of rap music.
Thats just not the case in rap music, and has never been the case.
Lovell notes this could be used against Drake as an unclean hands defense.
So why isnt Drake suing Kendrick Lamar?
This lawsuit isnotabout the artist who created Not Like Us, Drakes attorneys wrote.
The lawyers agreed it seemed calculated for Drake to leave Lamar out of the lawsuit.
As of now, Lamar doesnt really have to address the lawsuit because hes not a defendant.
Do the safety threats add to Drakes case?
But Drake will need to prove UMGs release and promotion of Not Like Us specifically caused those harms.
Plus, Lerner adds, the same harms could have occurred if Lamar never called Drake a pedophile.
Why didnt UMG do anything when Drake came to the label about Not Like Us?
Lovell disagrees with that line of thinking.
How would they know the truth?
Theyre not in the morality business.
But UMG can justify that move.
What about Drakes allegations of fake streams and a pay-to-play scheme?
Drake is also accusing UMG of deceptive business practices in promoting Not Like Us.
Thats going to get vetted very quickly, Lovell adds.
Does Drake just want to leave UMG?
Drake is going to renegotiate his contract with UMG this year.
The lawsuit accuses the label of promoting defamatory allegations against him to devalue him ahead of those negotiations.
But Dowlatshahi was not so surprised.
The music industry is a dirty game, he says.
He doesnt seem happy there, Lovell says.
Its not a good sign when youre suing your label for fraud and defamation.
Can Lamar still perform Not Like Us at the Super Bowl?
Drakes lawsuit comes weeks before Lamars highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show and that might be on purpose.
But Lovell would not be surprised if Fox asks Lamar not to include it in his set.
What happens next?
UMG will likely file a motion to dismiss the case.
But none of the lawyers are expecting the case to ever go to trial.
I wouldnt be surprised if this thing is quickly resolved.
Even if that happens, Lerner is still concerned about the implications of Drakes defamation argument.
