Judge Dismisses Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us

A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.