Court Throws Out Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us

A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, 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 artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.