SC A U.S. federal judge dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) related to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us.
Court Ruling Drake lawsuit and Legal Findings
- Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the lyrics in Not Like Us calling Drake a “certified pedophile” constitute nonactionable opinion, not a factual statement that could support defamation claims.
- The judge emphasized the context of a rap battle filled with “profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language,” which would not lead a reasonable listener to perceive the lyrics as verifiable facts.
- Vargas noted that Drake himself had used provocative allegations against Lamar in previous songs, reinforcing the nature of their exchanges as artistic expression rather than literal assertions.
- The ruling was based on a detailed 38-page analysis of the lyrics exchanged in the seven-track rap battle between the artists in 2024, described as “perhaps the most notorious rap feud in the history of the genre”.[1][2][3][4]
Case Background and Lawsuit Details
- Drake filed the lawsuit in January 2025 against UMG, his own record label, accusing it of defamation and harassment for promoting Lamar’s track, which he claimed propagated false and malicious allegations damaging his reputation.
- Kendrick Lamar was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
- The lawsuit included accusations that UMG engaged in practices to promote the song aggressively, allegedly to undermine Drake during contract negotiations, but the court rejected these claims.
- Judge Vargas ruled that diss tracks are understood as part of a “war of words” where listeners do not expect “accurate factual reporting,” making such lyrics protected speech under free expression rules.[5][6][7][1]
Responses and Reactions
- Drake’s team announced plans to appeal the decision, stating they look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing the case.
- UMG welcomed the ruling, calling the lawsuit “an affront to all artists and their creative expression” and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting Drake’s music.
- The label highlighted that both artists are signed to different divisions within UMG, complicating the relationships but emphasizing their ongoing investment in the careers of both.[4][8][1][5]
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Not Like Us was released in May 2024 and became a major cultural moment, winning five Grammys including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
- The diss track featured in Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance, further boosting its profile.
- The multi-track feud between Drake and Lamar involved escalating lyrical attacks, with both artists delivering highly charged and personal content viewed widely as artistic hyperbole rather than literal claims.[2][3][4]
