Drake’s Defamation Suit Dismissed in Kendrick Lamar Lyric Dispute
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Drake has lost his defamation suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” with a federal judge ruling that the allegedly defamatory statements in the hit diss track qualify as “nonactionable opinion” [1].
Judge’s Ruling and Reasoning
In a ruling published on Thursday, October 9, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas stated: “The issue in this case is whether ‘Not Like Us’ can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a pedophile or that he has engaged in sexual relations with minors. in light of the overall context in which the statements in the Recording were made, the Court holds that it cannot.” [1]
A UMG spokesperson released a statement saying, “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.” [1]
Drake’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Background of the Lawsuit
Drake filed the lawsuit in January, alleging that “Not Like Us” was “intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile.” [1] Notably,Drake chose to sue UMG – which also releases his music – rather than Lamar directly.
He argued that the label defamed him by allegedly using “every weapon in its arsenal” to promote “Not like Us,” including purportedly using fake bot streams, because it “understood” that the song’s “inflammatory and shocking allegations were a gold mine.” [1] UMG denied these allegations and moved to dismiss the suit. [1]
The Court’s Perspective on Rap Diss Tracks
In dismissing the suit, Judge Vargas drew a comparison between rap diss tracks and platforms like YouTube and X, where users freely express opinions, rather than journalistic reporting. “The average listener is not under the impression that a diss track is the product of a thoughtful or disinterested investigation, conveying to the public fact-checked verifiable content,” she wrote. [1]
The judge also emphasized that the defamation claims must be considered within the context of the broader Drake-Kendrick rap battle, characterized by “caustic, inflammatory insults and accusations.” [1] Judge Vargas referenced drake’s earlier song, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which featured an AI-generated Tupac voice attempting to provoke Lamar into discussing allegations about Drake’s alleged interest in young girls. [1]
Context and Dismissal of claims
The judge rejected Drake’s argument that “Not Like Us” should be viewed in isolation, stating it “must be placed in its appropriate factual context.” [1] She noted that Lamar’s lyrics, such as “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young,” were a direct response to the content of “Taylor Made Freestyle.” [1]
Furthermore, the judge found Drake’s evidence of UMG artificially inflating “Not Like Us”‘s popularity through fake streams insufficient, characterizing it as “Tweets by individual users and reporting from fans.” [1]
Drake’s Lawsuit Against Universal music Group Dismissed
Rapper Drake has lost his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” A federal judge ruled on Thursday, October 9, 2025, that the statements in the song do not constitute actionable defamation, but rather “nonactionable opinion” [1].
The Core of the Dispute
Drake initially filed the lawsuit in January,alleging that “Not Like Us” falsely and damagingly portrayed him as a “criminal pedophile.” However,he chose to pursue legal action against UMG,his record label,rather than Lamar directly [1].
The rapper claimed UMG actively promoted the song, even allegedly using artificial streams to boost its popularity, because they recognized the controversial lyrics as a lucrative prospect [1]. UMG denied these allegations and sought to have the suit dismissed [1].
Judge Vargas’ Ruling
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas resolute that the lyrics in “Not like Us” could not be reasonably understood as stating factual claims about Drake. She stated, “The issue in this case is whether ‘Not Like us’ can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a pedophile or that he has engaged in sexual relations with minors. Considering the overall context in which the statements in the Recording were made, the Court holds that it cannot” [1].
The judge drew a comparison between rap diss tracks and platforms like YouTube and X, emphasizing that listeners generally do not perceive them as sources of verified, factual reporting [1].
Context of the Rap Battle
Judge Vargas also considered the broader context of the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud, noting the exchange of increasingly harsh insults and accusations between the two artists. She specifically referenced Drake’s earlier release, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which featured an AI-generated voice of tupac questioning Lamar about Drake’s alleged interest in young girls [1]. The judge highlighted the similarity in wording between the two songs, suggesting a direct connection.
Dismissal of Claims Regarding Artificial Streams
The judge also dismissed Drake’s claims that UMG artificially inflated the popularity of “Not Like Us” through fake streams. She found the evidence presented – consisting of tweets and reports from fans – insufficient to establish plausibility [1].
UMG’s Response
A spokesperson for UMG released a statement expressing satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that the lawsuit was “an affront to all artists and their creative expression” and should never have been filed. They affirmed their continued support for Drake’s music and career [1].
A representative for Drake did not immediately respond to requests for comment.