Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has officially been dismissed. A federal judge ruled that the statements in Lamar’s chart-topping diss track were “nonactionable opinion,” effectively ending one of the most publicized legal battles to stem from hip-hop’s most intense rivalry in recent memory.
In the court’s written decision, the judge stated: “Because the Court concludes that the allegedly defamatory statements in ‘Not Like Us’ are nonactionable opinion, the motion to dismiss is GRANTED.” The ruling marks a decisive win for UMG, which had sought to have the case thrown out since March.
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Drake initially filed the lawsuit in January 2025, alleging that UMG defamed him by releasing and promoting “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar’s explosive response track that accused the Toronto rapper of serious misconduct, including sexual predation and deception about his personal life. Although Lamar himself was not named as a defendant, Drake claimed that UMG, as the label responsible for distributing the song, had engaged in “malicious publication of false statements” and “willful amplification” of defamatory content.
The court, however, disagreed. Citing longstanding First Amendment protections for artistic expression, the judge concluded that Lamar’s lyrics were “figurative, rhetorical, and clearly subjective,” not statements meant to be interpreted as factual allegations.
The ruling follows nearly a year of escalating tension between Drake and Lamar. What began as lyrical jabs quickly evolved into one of hip-hop’s most publicized feuds. After Lamar’s “Like That” ignited a wave of diss tracks in spring 2024, Drake fired back with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” Lamar responded with “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and then “Not Like Us,” which became both a commercial juggernaut and a cultural phenomenon.
“Not Like Us” not only topped charts worldwide but went on to earn Lamar five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. The track’s accusations, however, drew outrage from Drake’s camp, who claimed the song crossed into defamation. In November 2024, Drake took the dispute to court, filing a petition against UMG and Spotify that accused the companies of using illegal tactics to inflate “Not Like Us” streams. When that failed, he filed a separate defamation suit targeting UMG directly.
UMG denied all wrongdoing, calling the claims “contrived and absurd,” and asserting that “fans choose the music they want to hear.” After months of legal back-and-forth, the judge’s dismissal effectively closes the case — unless Drake’s team chooses to appeal.
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