Second Circuit affirms the Drake v. UMG dismissal

Judge Vargas dismissed in October 2025, holding the 'Not Like Us' statements nonactionable opinion. Drake appealed in January 2026 and his reply brief landed 2026-04-17. Opinion-based dismissals are the hardest category to reverse because the appellate court reviews the same four corners the district judge did. Drake's brief argues reversible error in the handling rather than the holding, a narrower road than it sounds.