Drake’s defamation lawsuit officially dismissed
A judge has dismissed Drake’s lawsuit tied to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. Find out why the court sided with UMG and what comes next.
Drake’s defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has officially been dismissed by a New York federal judge, ending one of the most unexpected legal twists to come out of last year’s biggest rap feud.
The lawsuit, filed in January 2025, accused Universal Music Group (UMG) of defamation and “reckless promotion” after they distributed and marketed Lamar’s hit diss track, which contained pointed references accusing Drake of inappropriate behavior. The rapper argued that UMG “knowingly amplified” false and damaging claims that endangered both him and his family.
In her ruling, Judge Jeannette Vargas sided with UMG, stating that Lamar’s lyrics were clearly artistic expression and not statements of fact. She emphasized that in the context of a public rap battle, known for exaggeration, insult, and bravado, the lyrics fell under the umbrella of protected opinion. “A reasonable listener,” the judge wrote, “would understand the song’s language as hyperbolic and figurative, not literal.”
The decision effectively shields record labels and artists from similar claims in the future, reaffirming that lyrical content, especially in competitive or performative genres, is granted broad creative protection under U.S. law.
UMG responded to the verdict by praising the outcome, saying it protected “artistic freedom and creative expression.” Drake’s representatives, meanwhile, have indicated plans to appeal, maintaining that the accusations in the song crossed a legal line. The feud between Drake and Lamar dominated pop culture through much of 2024, spawning viral moments, public debates, and a series of chart-topping diss tracks that blurred the lines between art, rivalry, and personal attack. With “Not Like Us” becoming one of the year’s defining hits, this legal ruling closes one chapter of the drama, though, if Drake’s team follows through on their appeal, it might not be over just yet.