Drake and Universal music Group have been ordered into mediation by a federal appeals courtroom because the authorized battle over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss observe continues to escalate.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit scheduled a three-hour telephonic mediation for December 19 at 10:30 A.M. ET.

Chief Circuit Mediator Kathleen M. Scanlon will oversee the session. Both sides should come ready to debate the authorized power of their positions, potential settlement choices and whether or not any points might be narrowed or clarified.

The mediation follows Drake‘s January 2025 defamation lawsuit against music-group” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>UMG, which claims the label knowingly promoted Lamar’s viral hit “Not Like Us,” a observe that accuses the rapper of pedophilia. Though the lyrics got here from Kendrick Lamar, Drake’s lawsuit targets UMG, not the Compton artist himself.

UMG distributes music for each artists, Drake by means of Republic Records and Lamar by way of Interscope, making the dispute much more tangled.

A federal choose dismissed the case on October 9, ruling that Lamar’s lyrics had been protected opinion, not factual assertions. The choose cited the character of Hip-Hop rivalries, the place exaggerated and inflammatory language is commonly used and infrequently taken actually by listeners.

Drake appealed the dismissal on October 29, arguing that UMG acted with “actual malice” by selling the music and its visuals, regardless of realizing the accusations had been false.

His authorized group additionally claimed UMG had a monetary motive to assist Lamar, particularly since Drake’s contract with the label had reportedly expired with out renewal.

The attraction additionally alleges that UMG’s involvement within the music’s rollout, together with its paintings and music video, contributed to threats in opposition to Drake’s household and incidents at his dwelling.

The lawsuit argues that UMG helped engineer the observe’s viral success, prioritizing income over security and reality.

UMG has denied all wrongdoing, stating the lawsuit is an try to suppress free inventive expression.

The firm maintains that the lyrics fall throughout the style’s long-standing custom of lyrical fight. If no settlement is reached throughout mediation, the case will return to the appeals course of for a proper ruling.

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