In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Less than a year after the lawsuit was filed, Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the lyrics in question were part of a “war of words” during a “heated rap battle” and constituted nonactionable opinion rather than defamation.
The legal battle began when Drake took offense to Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics in “Not Like Us,” where Lamar seemingly referenced Drake as a pedophile. The lawsuit alleged that UMG, the parent company of Lamar’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment, was responsible for distributing the song and allowing the defamatory lyrics to be published.
However, Judge Vargas deemed Lamar’s lyrics as protected speech under the First Amendment, emphasizing that they were not meant to be taken as factual statements but rather as artistic expression within the context of a rap feud. The ruling effectively dismissed Drake’s claims against UMG, highlighting the complexities of interpreting lyrical content in the realm of hip-hop diss tracks.
This legal saga has garnered significant attention from both the music industry and fans alike. Drake’s decision to pursue legal action against his own record label and a fellow artist over a rap beef has sparked debates about the boundaries of artistic expression, freedom of speech, and the blurred lines between personal attacks and entertainment in the music world.
While some fans have supported Drake’s efforts to defend his reputation, others have criticized the lawsuit as an overreaction to typical rap rivalry banter. The dismissal of the case has elicited mixed reactions on social media, with many expressing relief that the legal dispute has come to an end, while others continue to dissect the implications of the judge’s ruling on the future of rap battles and diss tracks.
Overall, the outcome of Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG serves as a reminder of the complexities of navigating legal disputes in the music industry, especially when it comes to interpreting the nuances of lyrical content and artistic expression in the context of creative rivalry.
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References:
– Billboard. (2025, October 9). Drake Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dismissed by Judge. https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-lawsuit-kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-dismissed-judge/
– Consequence. (2025, October 9). Judge Throws Out Drake’s Lawsuit Against UMG Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”. https://consequence.net/2025/10/drake-umg-lawsuit-tossed/
– TMZ. (2025, October 9). Drake’s Federal Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over ‘Not Like Us’ Dismissed. https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/09/drake-umg-lawsuit-dismissed/
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