🔗 Share this article

A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates 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 Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.