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

A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song suggested.

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

"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'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.