Judge Dismisses Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us

A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, 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 subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The similarity 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 sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.