Court Throws Out Rapper Drake's Legal Case Regarding Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"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 prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, 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 anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

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

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

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.