Overview
- Drake filed a notice of appeal on Oct. 29, moving his case to the Second Circuit after a Manhattan federal judge tossed his lawsuit.
- Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the case on Oct. 9, finding the lyrics were nonactionable opinion in the context of a rap battle and not statements a reasonable listener would take as fact.
- Drake sued Universal Music Group—not Kendrick Lamar—alleging the label promoted and profited from the track’s portrayal of him.
- The court also rejected allegations of pay-for-play and artificial streaming boosts for lack of credible evidence.
- UMG said it was pleased with the dismissal, and Drake’s team said they look forward to appellate review, with the process expected to take months before substantive arguments are heard.