Judge Throws Out Rapper Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.