🔗 Share this article

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

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," 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 wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.