Drake isn’t done fighting. The rapper has filed an appeal after a federal judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), pulling his long-running dispute with Kendrick Lamar back into the spotlight.

The issue traces back to Not Like Us, Lamar’s explosive track released in May 2024 during their very public rivalry. The song dominated streaming platforms, sparked endless debate online, and became a cultural lightning rod. But behind the viral success was a line that Drake’s lawyers say went too far. They claim it falsely painted him as something he’s not, damaging both his reputation and his brand.

Drake – Instagram

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas threw out the suit, finding that Lamar’s lyrics were part of rap’s long-standing battle tradition: provocative, exaggerated, and not meant to be read as literal fact. In her ruling, the judge said the track was “non-actionable opinion,” meaning it fell under the umbrella of artistic expression.

Drake – Instagram

Drake’s legal team disagrees. The newly filed appeal asks a Manhattan court to decide whether UMG’s involvement in distributing and promoting the song could make the label responsible for amplifying defamatory claims. It is an unusual argument, one that questions how much accountability major labels carry for the content they release when personal attacks reach a massive audience.

Drake – Instagram

UMG has maintained its position, saying Drake’s complaint misrepresents how rap culture operates. Diss tracks, the label argues, have always lived in a space of creative combat where bravado and exaggeration are part of the game. But Drake’s latest move points to something deeper: a belief that the old boundaries no longer fit the modern music landscape where streaming turns every feud into a global headline.

If he wins, the outcome could set a major precedent, not just for artists but for the business that profits from their rivalries. For Drake, this is no longer just about a song. It is about control, reputation, and how far the industry will go in the name of entertainment.

Dr. Phil McGraw’s new media venture has hit a major setback. A U.S. bankruptcy court has ordered his network, Merit Street Media, to be liquidated after finding that the company had “no realistic path to recovery.”

Photo credit: The Wall Street Journal

The decision, handed down by Judge Scott W. Everett in Texas, ends months of financial uncertainty surrounding Merit Street, which Dr. Phil launched earlier this year in partnership with Trinity Broadcasting Network. The network was created to feature family-friendly talk shows and lifestyle programming and even served as the new home for Dr. Phil Primetime, his post-syndication television project.

Photo credit: The New York times

But things quickly took a downturn. Court documents reveal that Merit Street owes more than $180 million to creditors, including the Professional Bull Riders league, which had a multi-year broadcast deal with the company. PBR accused Merit Street of moving its assets into another venture, Envoy Media, just before filing for bankruptcy, a move the court viewed as a bad-faith attempt to shield resources. The ruling converts the company’s bankruptcy filing from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7, meaning a court-appointed trustee will now sell off its assets to pay outstanding debts.

Photo Credit: Chron

Dr. Phil’s representatives have pushed back on the judgment, saying they “strongly disagree” with the findings and plan to appeal. Despite the legal drama, the television personality still remains a dominant figure across television and digital media and recently teased new projects under his personal brand. For now, though, the once-ambitious Merit Street Media dream seems to have reached its final episode.

Read Next Post: Dove Cameron and Damiano David are Engaged 

It looks like one of music’s most talked-about couples is ready to take the next step, Dove Cameron and Måneskin frontman Damiano David are reportedly engaged. What began as a brief connection at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards has grown into a romance fans can’t look away from, their first meeting backstage.

Photo credit: Holacom – Instagram

Dove and Damiano first crossed paths when they were both up for Best New Artist at the VMAs. Dove won that night, but the true highlight may have been meeting Damiano. His team invited her to Måneskin’s afterparty, and although she couldn’t make it, fate had other plans. A year later, they met again same awards, new energy and this time, it felt different. By early 2024, the couple made things official with a kiss at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala, a moment that had instantly drew headlines. Since then, they’ve become red-carpet regulars, known for their undeniable chemistry.

Photo Credit: E! News

Dove once described Damiano as “the kindest, most generous, most innocent person,” while he’s said he admires her authenticity and passion. Their connection feels real, not performative and it shows in the quiet way they support each other’s art.

Engagement rumors took off after Dove Cameron and Måneskin frontman Damiano David were spotted arm-in-arm in Sydney, Australia. The pair, both dressed in all-black outfits, looked striking together. But what really caught attention was the diamond ring on Dove’s left hand, a detail that fans immediately noticed.

Photo Credit: Holacom – Instagram

According to TMZ, the couple are indeed engaged, though neither has made an official statement yet, if the engagement is true, it’s not hard to picture the wedding, intimate, artistic, and filled with music that reflects their shared artistry.

Read Next Post: Eddie Murphy Peels Back the Curtain in New Documentary Trailer “Being Eddie