Key points
- A United States judge tosses Drake’s defamation case today. The court finds Kendrick’s lyrics are nonactionable opinion.
- The suit targets UMG’s role promoting the track. Drake alleges “Not Like Us” suggests child predator behaviour.
- UMG welcomes dismissal and pledges continued support for Drake. Amended claims about Super Bowl performances also fail.
Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group has been thrown out. A U.S. District Court ruled that the lyrics in Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” count as opinion. The judge said a diss track does not present checked facts. The claim therefore fails at the first legal test.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas issued the ruling on Thursday. The case began in January after months of public back-and-forth. Drake argued that the song paints him as a child predator. He said UMG defamed him by distributing and promoting the record.
The court disagreed with that position. The judge wrote that a reasonable listener would not treat the bars as factual. She noted the heated battle context and charged language. She concluded the words are constitutionally protected opinion.
The order came on UMG’s motion to dismiss. The label argued the complaint lacked a viable claim. Rule 12(b)(6) applies when pleadings fail to state a claim. The court granted the motion in full after review.
Drake had filed two earlier pre-action petitions in 2024. Those petitions accused UMG of boosting the song’s numbers using unfair tactics. He then filed the federal suit in January. He later amended the suit to add fresh claims.
Those later claims cited two high-profile performances of the track. He pointed to use at the Super Bowl halftime show. He also mentioned a performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The judge’s order still found no defamation claim to try.
UMG issued a short statement after the ruling. The label called the suit an affront to creative expression. It said the court made the correct call. It added that it will keep promoting Drake’s music.
The case also underlines a broader industry norm. Rap clashes use harsh words and theatrical boasts. Fans understand that tone and intent during a battle. Courts often read such lyrics through that lens.
Drake’s camp has not yet issued a response. The rapper keeps an active release schedule with UMG. The label describes the partnership as strong. It says work with the artist will continue.
For context on Lamar’s recent momentum, see our recent Kendrick Lamar highlights. You can also track latest Drake updates. Those pages help map this long-running feud. They also show how rap battles shape pop culture.
Why the judge said the lyrics are opinion
The ruling turns on audience perception of a diss track. The judge said the average listener expects taunts, not facts. A diss rarely reads like a neutral investigation. That tone signals opinion rather than verifiable claims.
What the decision means for future disputes
Rappers can still face suits over specific statements. Yet battle tracks sit in a speech zone with wide berth. Context matters, as courts weigh tone and setting. This ruling reinforces that long-standing approach.
