Court Dismisses Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

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

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although 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 epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.