A United States federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought on by Drake against Universal Music Group. The rapper accused his own record company of defamation over its distribution and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s infamous “Not Like Us” diss track.
District Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the suit on Thursday citing Lamar’s track as a “nonactionable opinion” that is not considered defamatory.
“The fact that the Recording was made in the midst of a rap battle is essential to assessing its impact on a reasonable listener,” wrote Judge Vargas. “Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion… when made in public debate, heated labor dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole.”
A spokesperson for UMG tells Variety, “From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
Representatives for Drake did not immediately return Variety‘s request for comment.
Drake filed his initial suit against UMG in January over Lamar‘s “Not Like Us,” claiming that the label intentionally engaged in defamation by promoting the song. “Not Like Us” arrived in May 2024 as the hardest strike in an intense rap battle that saw the pair throwing wild accusations at each other, including Lamar branding Drake as a “certified pedophile.”
“Although the accusation that Plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff,” writes the judge.
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In March, UMG filed their motion to dismiss. Drake’s legal counsel refiled an amended complaint to focus on events that took place since the initial filing. Most notably, the filing called out for UMG knowingly negotiated and promoted “Not Like Us” via Lamar’s Super Bowl performance and consented to the track being played at the 2025 Grammy Awards (where it took home five Grammys).
Counsel for the company retaliated by saying Drake’s amended complaint “removed obviously false factual allegations,” adding that the “new allegations are astonishing.”
From Variety US