Judge Dismisses Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle 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.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference 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 legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

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