The Legal Beat: Music Law Newsletter – Week of [Date]
The Legal Beat: Can Rappers Like Kendrick Lamar and Drake Sue Each Other for Defamation Over Diss Tracks?
In this week’s edition of The Legal Beat, we take a deep dive into the world of music law, exploring whether rappers like Kendrick Lamar and Drake could potentially sue each other for defamation over wild allegations made in diss tracks. As the two artists exchanged fiery diss tracks filled with scathing insults, the question arose: could these lyrics lead to legal trouble?
While the idea of a defamation lawsuit over a diss track may seem far-fetched, legal experts suggest that in theory, extremely specific and damaging accusations could potentially lead to a libel lawsuit. However, the practical challenges and reputational risks involved in pursuing such a case make it unlikely that either rapper would actually take legal action.
In other top stories this week, TikTok and parent company ByteDance filed a federal lawsuit challenging legislation in the U.S. that could result in a ban on the popular app. Britney Spears finalized her divorce from husband Sam Asghari, Travis Scott’s Astroworld trial was postponed due to a dispute over liability, and a lawsuit accusing Tommy Lee of sexual assault was dismissed.
Additionally, the criminal case against Morgan Wallen for reckless endangerment is moving forward, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl testified at a Senate hearing on AI deepfakes, and former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider filed a defamation lawsuit over allegations made in a documentary.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the latest legal developments in the music industry in next week’s edition of The Legal Beat.
