Court Dismisses Rapper Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured 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 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.