US Court Dismisses Drake Lawsuit Over Lamar Diss Track
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that a U.S. federal judge in New York has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by Canadian rapper Drake against his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), over Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track, “Not Like Us.”
The high-profile legal dispute stemmed from a heated rap feud in 2024 between the two superstar artists, culminating in Lamar’s chart-topping hit, which delivered a scathing critique of Drake. The track, widely circulated and critically acclaimed, included provocative lyrics that accused Drake of inappropriate behavior — claims the rapper said crossed the line into defamation.
Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, filed the suit in January, alleging that Universal — which represents both artists — prioritized profits over his reputation by actively promoting the controversial song. The suit claimed that the track contributed to a “physical threat to Drake’s safety” and led to a “bombardment of online harassment.”
However, on Thursday, Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the song’s lyrics constituted protected opinion rather than factual assertions, making them legally nonactionable.
“The issue in this case is whether ‘Not Like Us’ can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a pedophile or that he has engaged in sexual relations with minors,” Judge Vargas wrote in her decision.
“In light of the overall context in which the statements in the recording were made, the Court holds that it cannot.”
In a statement following the ruling, Universal Music Group welcomed the decision.
“This lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day,” the label said.
“We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
Kendrick Lamar, also 38 and a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, went on to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2025, where he performed a censored version of “Not Like Us.” While profanity and the term “pedophile” were omitted, he retained a pointed lyric on live television in front of over 130 million viewers:
“Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minoooooor.”
