Drake’s bid to settle a rap feud in court just hit a dead end. A federal judge has thrown out the superstar’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s scathing diss track “Not Like Us,” bringing an abrupt end to a headline-grabbing legal battle.
In her ruling, Judge Jeannette Vargas reasoned that Lamar’s incendiary lyrics – which accused Drake of unsavory behavior – were protected opinion in the context of artistic rivalry. “Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle… would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts,” Vargas wrote, noting the song’s hyperbolic nature.
Drake filed the suit earlier this year, claiming UMG intentionally promoted “Not Like Us” despite knowing its allegations were false. He even linked the song to real-world troubles, blaming it for attempted break-ins at his Toronto home. UMG’s attorneys countered that rap beefs are part of music culture – and argued that Drake should “accept the loss like the unbothered rap artist he often claims to be” rather than sue over a diss. This week, the judge sided with UMG, dismissing Drake’s claims outright.
The rapper isn’t giving up quietly. “We intend to appeal today’s ruling,” Drake’s legal team said in a statement, signaling the fight may not be over. UMG, meanwhile, applauded the outcome, calling the suit “an affront to all artists and their creative expression” that never should have made it to court. For now, one of hip-hop’s fiercest rivalries has been relegated back to the studio and streaming charts – not the courtroom.
