Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Is ‘Dangerous,’ Legal Scholars Warn

U.S. academics warn Drake suit could have ‘dangerous’ ripple effects on rap music

TORONTO - Four U.S. academics say a "dangerous" precedent could be set for rap music if Drake wins his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group.

Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Is ‘Dangerous,’ Legal Scholars Warn

A group of legal scholars say Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is “dangerous” because it will have a “chilling effect” on hip-hop and encourage prosecutors to use rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases. Filed in January, Drake’s case claims that UMG defamed him by releasing Lamar’s scathing diss track, which tarred the Canadian rapper as a “certified pedophile.” He says that millions of people…

Drake asking the court to assume Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics are “a factual representation” is “dangerous”, say legal experts

A group of legal experts have filed an ‘amicus brief’ with the court considering Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music. The musician wants the major label held liable for defamation over its role in releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’, which includes the lyrical allegation that Drake is a pedophile. The experts note that, for sometime now, the music community has been busy arguing that rap lyrics should…

Court should reject Drake’s ‘dangerous’ assumption that rap lyrics are factual in case against UMG, scholars argue

Diss tracks 'are understood by audiences not to represent factual assertions about the opposing artist,' the scholars argue Source

Who is the “Us” in “Not Like Us”? – Scalawag

Black music has long been an important tool for soft power, manufacturing consent for the coups, occupations, and drone strikes that reproduce the image of American peace and prosperity. I’m not suggesting that the beef was meant to distract from political issues, or that both artists haven’t made institutional critiques on and off their records. But there’s a reason that this particular beef would attract this level of attention at this particu…

EXCLUSIVE: Drake Opening Door To Racism With "Not Like Us" Lawsuit, Experts Warn Judge

Legal scholars warned a federal judge that Drake's lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" risks inviting racial bias into the courtroom.