federal judge dismisses UMG lawsuit

Photo Credit: Drake (Instagram)

Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has been dismissed by a federal judge.

The headline-grabbing defamation lawsuit Drake launched against Universal Music Group (UMG) was tossed out this week by a federal judge. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas deemed that the lyrics in Kendrick Lamar’s scathing diss track “Not Like Us” that call Drake a pedophile were merely opinion.

The case stemmed from “the vitriolic war of words” between the two rappers that erupted into “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history,” wrote the judge. Kendrick Lamar’s track, which was one of the biggest hits of 2024 and won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys, helped his Super Bowl halftime show become the most-watched halftime in history.

Drake’s lawsuit, filed back in January, alleged that UMG intentionally published and promoted the song despite knowing that it contained “defamatory” allegations against the Toronto star. He also claimed the track tarnished his reputation and decreased the value of his brand. UMG, the parent label for both artists, denied the allegations. It’s also worth noting that Kendrick Lamar was never named in the lawsuit.

But Judge Vargas said any reasonable listener could not conclude that “Not Like Us” contained objective facts about Drake.

“Although the accusation that [Drake] is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heater rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about [Drake],” Vargas wrote.

“From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day,” said a representative for UMG. “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.”

Representatives for Drake did not immediately respond to media requests for comment. Earlier, sources pointed Digital Music News to an aggressive Drake litigatory team gunning for damages north of $1 billion. Now, Drake isn’t even wrangling a settlement with UMG, which has successfully spanked one of their biggest artists in court.

Looking ahead, Drake could theoretically appeal this decision. But barring further litigation, rap’s biggest battle is now officially over.

Universal Music Group is the parent label of Interscope Records (Kendrick Lamar’s label) and Republic Records (Drake’s label).