Judge Throws Out Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.