Media: https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTcyYTQ4YTRmem50d2c0bjVzcnpxZDlpNzRpem1hc21zN3l0aDN3ZWpwcWs0OG5zcyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/D5Xw2pE3BbKSw29xVi/giphy.gifTitle: Slander or ‘trash-talking’? Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud has a day in court
The world of hip hop was abuzz with excitement as the legal battle between two rap giants, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, took center stage. The case revolves around Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track “Not Like Us,” which sparked a defamation lawsuit from fellow superstar Drake against Universal Music Group – both their record labels.
Drake claims that the song is slanderous and accuses Universal of publishing and promoting it without his consent. On the other hand, Universal argues that the lyrics are just hyperbole in line with rap beefing traditions. The case has been brought to a federal court where U.S District Judge Jeannette Vargas is tasked with determining whether “Not Like Us” constitutes slander or simply ‘trash-talking.’
The controversy stems from an epic feud between two of hip hop’s biggest stars over one of 2024’s most significant songs. The track won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year Grammys, received the highest number of Apple Music streams worldwide, and contributed to making that year’s Super Bowl halftime show the most-watched ever.
Released amidst a flurry of insult tracks exchanged between Lamar and Drake, “Not Like Us” calls out Drake by name while questioning his authenticity as part of West Coast rap culture. It also makes insinuations about Drake’s personal life, which he denies. In response to these allegations, Drake filed a lawsuit claiming that the song falsely accuses him of being a sex offender and engaging in pedophilic acts among other things.
This case raises several interesting questions regarding artistic expression within rap music culture. How does one differentiate between harmless ‘trash-talking’ and actionable slander? Can lyrics be interpreted differently depending on the listener’s understanding of hip hop culture nuances? And finally, what are the implications for record labels when they choose to publish such content?
As we await Judge Vargas’ decision, it remains unclear how this case will shape future legal battles involving rap artists. However, one thing is certain – this high-profile feud has undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to an already intricate debate surrounding the boundaries of artistic expression in hip hop culture.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/slander-trash-talking-drake-kendrick-lamar-feud-day-court-rcna216132) #slander
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