New York | October 10, 2025 — ADBN TV
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed Canadian rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track, “Not Like Us.”
The case, filed in January, accused UMG — which represents both artists — of betraying Drake for profit by promoting Lamar’s hit song, which includes lyrics implying that the rapper engaged in inappropriate behavior with minors.
Drake argued that the song’s release and promotion not only defamed him but also put his safety at risk, citing a wave of online harassment and threats that followed.
However, Judge Jeannette Vargas of the U.S. District Court in New York ruled that Lamar’s lyrics amounted to “nonactionable opinion,” not factual claims.
“The issue in this case is whether ‘Not Like Us’ can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a pedophile or that he has engaged in sexual relations with minors,” the judge wrote.
“In light of the overall context in which the statements were made, the Court holds that it cannot.”
Following the ruling, Universal Music Group welcomed the decision, calling the lawsuit “an affront to artistic freedom.”
“We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career,” the company said.
The diss track, released in 2024 during a heated lyrical feud between the two megastars, went on to top global charts and earned Lamar multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Rap Performance.
Lamar, 38 — who also won a Pulitzer Prize for music — performed “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, altering some explicit lyrics but keeping the provocative line:
“Tryna strike a chord, and it’s probably A-minoooor.”
The ruling effectively ends Drake’s bid to seek damages over the high-profile feud that dominated the hip-hop scene in 2024.
