🔗 Share this article

A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult 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 are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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