A defamation lawsuit filed by Toronto rapper Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) was dismissed by a U.S. federal judge on Thursday. The lawsuit was based on lyrics from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” that referred to Drake as a pedophile. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the lyrics in question were subjective opinions rather than factual statements.
The legal dispute emerged from a heated rap battle between the two prominent hip-hop artists over a popular song from 2024. The track, which garnered multiple accolades and significant audience engagement, was a focal point in the ongoing feud. Vargas emphasized that the contentious nature of the rap battle and the provocative language used did not present the lyrics as conveying verifiable information about Drake.
Drake’s lawsuit, filed in January, accused UMG of endorsing and distributing the track containing false allegations of pedophilia against him. It also alleged that the song damaged his reputation and devalued his brand. UMG, the parent company of both artists, refuted the claims and expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit, emphasizing their commitment to promoting Drake’s music and career.
Kendrick Lamar, the artist behind “Not Like Us,” was not directly involved in the legal proceedings. Despite requests for comments from Drake’s representatives, there was no immediate response. The diss track, part of a series of contentious exchanges between the musicians, included derogatory references to Drake’s authenticity in the rap scene and insinuations about his personal life.
Drake’s legal team argued that the track unjustly labeled him as a sex offender and linked the song to security incidents at his Toronto residence. The judge deliberated on the dismissal of the lawsuit following oral arguments presented in June.