# Drake Appeals 'Not Like Us' Lawsuit Court Date Set

> Drake's court battle over Kendrick Lamar's diss track gets December hearing after appeal.
- Title: Drake Appeals 'Not Like Us' Lawsuit Court Date Set · Billboard
- Summary: Drake's court battle over Kendrick Lamar's diss track gets December hearing after appeal. Drake's lawsuit against UMG over 'Not Like Us' being dismissed is…
- Keywords: drake, kendrick lamar, umg, not like us, lawsuit, appeal, court date, second circuit, hip hop, diss track, Appeals, 'Not
- Source: Billboard — https://billboard.com/pro/drake-lawsuit-over-not-like-us-court-date-scheduled
- Author: Bill Donahue
- Published: 2026-09-22T17:13:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: drake, kendrick lamar, umg, not like us, lawsuit, appeal, court date, second circuit, hip hop, diss track
## Court Date Set
Drake and Universal Music Group set a December 4 court date for their lawsuit appeal over Kendrick Lamar’s 'Not Like Us' diss track.

> Drake accused umg of defaming him by releasing a song calling him a certified pedophile
## Lawsuit Background
Drake sued UMG in January 2025, claiming the label defamed him with false pedophilia accusations in the diss track.

> the lawsuit alleged umg spread a malicious narrative about pedophilia that it knew was false
## Initial Ruling
A federal judge dismissed Drake’s case, saying diss tracks use hyperbolic language and fans don’t take insults as literal facts.

> the judge ruled diss tracks are filled with hyperbolic language and fans didn’t take kendrick’s insults as literal statements of fact
## Appeal Argument
Drake’s lawyers claim millions understood the diss track as factual statements, believing he’s a pedophile.

> millions of people understood not like us to convey factual information causing countless individuals to believe drake was a pedophile
## UMG’s Counter
UMG argues Drake uses litigation to undermine hip-hop after losing a rap beef, calling the lawsuit dangerous.

> umg’s lawyers warned drake is using litigation to critically undermine the art of hip hop because he’s upset he lost a rap beef
## Next Steps
The Second Circuit will hear arguments on December 4, with a ruling expected after the hearing, possibly leading to a Supreme Court appeal.

> following the hearing the appellate judges will weigh the case and issue a ruling at some point after
## Key takeaway

Drake's lawsuit against UMG over 'Not Like Us' being dismissed is being appealed for a December court date.