By [Your Name] | October 10, 2025
Canadian rapper Drake has faced a legal setback after a judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us. The ruling comes amid the high-profile rap feud that has captured global attention.
Background: The Lawsuit
Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, filed the lawsuit in January 2025. He accused UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation for allowing Lamar’s song to be published and promoted. The lawsuit claimed that the track spread a “false and malicious narrative” by implying Drake and his associates were “certified paedophiles.”
UMG responded that the song was part of an ongoing rap battle and defended its right to release the music.
Court Ruling: Nonactionable Opinion
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the lyrics in Lamar’s song were “nonactionable opinion” and could not be considered defamatory. The judge explained that in the context of a rap battle—filled with hyperbolic language, trash-talking, and figurative speech—listeners would not take the lyrics as literal fact.
“Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion when made in public debate, heated labor dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate fiery rhetoric or hyperbole,” Judge Vargas wrote.
The Rap Battle Context
Not Like Us was released in May 2024 and quickly became one of Lamar’s most talked-about songs. The track won five Grammy Awards and was performed during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, further amplifying its impact.
Judge Vargas noted that Drake had previously used lyrics in his song Taylor Made Freestyle to challenge Lamar to include similar accusations, making Lamar’s line a direct callback to Drake’s own words.
Reactions from Both Sides
A UMG spokesperson celebrated the ruling, stating:
“This lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal.”
Drake’s team announced plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing that they hope the Court of Appeals will review the case. Kendrick Lamar has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
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What This Means for Artists
This ruling reinforces that diss tracks and artistic expression in music, especially in rap battles, are generally protected under freedom of speech. Judges often recognize that the audience does not expect literal truth in such heated musical exchanges.
Rap battles, with their intense lyrical back-and-forth and creative exaggeration, remain a staple of the genre, allowing artists to express themselves without fear of defamation lawsuits over exaggerated claims.
Celebrity legal battles
Drake’s legal challenge may continue in the appeals court, but for now, Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us remains legally protected as artistic expression, highlighting the balance between creative freedom and defamation law in the music industry.