🔗 Share this article

A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

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

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" 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 his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court 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 anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.