Judge Dismisses Drake's Lawsuit Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.