A group of four U.S. academics is warning that Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) could set a “dangerous” precedent for rap music and artistic freedom.
The scholars—experts in criminology and law—filed new court documents on Wednesday in a New York court. They are asking the judge to dismiss the rapper’s lawsuit, which targets UMG for its role in releasing Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, Not Like Us.
The academics argue that diss tracks are exaggerated forms of creative expression. They say treating such lyrics as literal statements could worsen racial bias in the U.S. legal system.
Drake’s lawsuit claims that Not Like Us falsely labels him as a pedophile. The controversial lyric at the center of the case has not been proven in court. Drake’s legal team did not respond to media requests for comment.
While the academics do not directly mention the song’s use of the phrase “certified pedophiles,” they caution that if the lawsuit is successful, it could weaken free speech protections across the U.S.
In their legal brief, the scholars stress they acted independently and were not hired by either party. They note that UMG’s legal team did not oppose their filing. Drake’s lawyers, however, did not reply.
“A full understanding of rap lyrics is important,” the academics wrote. “It helps courts properly assess defamation claims and avoids the risk of treating rap lyrics as facts or confessions.”
Drake’s lawsuit also accuses Universal of choosing profit over safety. He claims that promoting the track encouraged violence against him, pointing to a shooting and multiple break-ins at his Toronto home.
The rapper says the song harmed his public image and hurt his business reputation, especially during ongoing contract talks with UMG earlier this year. Lamar is not listed as a defendant in the suit.
Universal Music Group is one of the world’s largest music companies. It owns Republic Records, which represents Drake, and Interscope Records, which represents Lamar.
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