Universal Music Group claims Drake lawsuit is because he "lost a rap battle that he provoked" with Kendrick Lamar

Drake has been met with a strong rebuttal from Universal Music Group in response to his recent defamation lawsuit, with the label claiming the rapper's legal action stems from "[losing] a rap battle" with Kendrick Lamar.

Universal's attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit, describing his allegations as "meritless" and suggesting the legal action is an attempt to recover from the musical exchange.

"Plaintiff, one of the most successful recording artists of all time, lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated," the filing states. "Instead of accepting the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be, he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds."

Drake's original lawsuit accused Universal of approving and publishing 'Not Like Us' as part of what he claims was "a campaign to create a viral hit" that made "false factual allegations" about him.

In their response, Universal highlighted Drake's own participation in the musical exchange, noting his use of "hyperbolic insults" and "vitriolic allegations" during the dispute. The label's legal team also emphasised that the lyrics in 'Not Like Us' are protected under the First Amendment, stating: "Diss tracks are a popular and celebrated artform centered around outrageous insults, and they would be severely chilled if Drake's suit were permitted to proceed. Hyperbolic and metaphorical language is par for the course in diss tracks — indeed, Drake's own diss tracks employed imagery at least as violent."

Universal's filing also referenced Drake's previous support for legislation limiting the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court, noting: "As Drake recognized, when it comes to rap, 'the final work is a product of the artist's vision and imagination'. Drake was right then and is wrong now."