🔗 Share this article

A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.