A US federal judge has dismissed the defamation lawsuit Drake filed against Universal Music Group (UMG) for publishing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track “Not Like Us.”
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar’s lyrics — including the line calling Drake a “certified pedophile” — were expressions of opinion made during a rap battle, not factual claims. Because of that, Drake could not sue for defamation.
Drake did not sue Kendrick Lamar directly. Instead, he targeted UMG, which promotes Lamar under its Interscope label. Drake himself is signed to Republic Records, another UMG subsidiary.
Drake’s legal team says he will appeal the decision.
UMG welcomed the ruling, calling the lawsuit “frivolous” and saying it never should have gone to court.
In her 38-page decision, Judge Vargas said diss tracks are not treated by listeners as factual investigations or verified claims. She cited the wider context of the Drake–Lamar feud, in which both artists traded personal and unsubstantiated insults through music.
The lawsuit, filed in January, was still in the discovery phase when the judge dismissed it.
“Not Like Us” has since become one of Lamar’s biggest hits. It won multiple Grammys this year and featured in his Super Bowl halftime performance in February.
About the Author
