Legal Fallout From Hip-Hop’s Biggest Rap Battle

The rap feud that dominated headlines in 2024 is far from over. While the back-and-forth diss tracks between Drake and Kendrick Lamar have cooled, the conflict has now spilled into the courtroom. Drake is suing his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing it of orchestrating a scheme to damage his reputation by heavily promoting Lamar’s chart-topping diss record Not Like Us.

According to court filings, Drake claims UMG not only enabled Lamar’s surge with the track but also “aggressively promoted” it despite knowing the narrative it spread was harmful to him. The rapper is seeking access to UMG’s unredacted contract with Kendrick Lamar, aiming to prove the company prioritized Lamar’s success at his expense.

UMG Pushes Back, Denies Drake’s Allegations

UMG CEO Lucian Grainge has dismissed Drake’s allegations as “ridiculous” and “nonsensical,” highlighting that the company has invested heavily—hundreds of millions of dollars—into Drake’s career. The label argues that supporting Lamar’s success does not diminish Drake’s standing, and that his defamation claims are groundless.

Grainge further accused Drake of attempting to harass and intimidate rather than pursue a legitimate legal grievance. Despite Lamar not being listed as a defendant, his role in the case looms large, given that Not Like Us became both a commercial and cultural juggernaut, especially after a celebrated Super Bowl halftime performance.

From Rap Beef to Court Battle

Legal analysts point out that diss tracks have long been a staple of hip-hop culture—a verbal battlefield where exaggerations and personal shots are the norm. But for Drake to escalate artistic rivalry into the judicial system marks a rare and controversial move that some see as damaging to his credibility within rap’s competitive tradition.

Cultural critics stress that the lawsuit risks prolonging the sting of what fans and observers largely viewed as a decisive win for Lamar. Instead of letting the battle fade, the legal fight may give the beef lasting power in the public eye.

What Happens Next

The case remains in the discovery phase, with Drake’s team submitting expansive requests for contracts, communications, and other internal documents connected to Lamar and Not Like Us. A judge will determine which records UMG must turn over.

Industry insiders believe a settlement may eventually be reached, but if negotiations fail, the case could head toward a full trial—a rare event in hip-hop’s history.

As Drake prepares for his upcoming album Iceman, his legal battle with UMG casts a shadow over what many see as a pivotal moment in his career. For now, fans and the industry alike are left watching closely to see whether this fight reshapes the relationship between rap battles, record labels, and the law.