A federal judge has dismissed a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by Drake against his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), bringing a close to a legal battle that emerged from one of modern hip-hop’s most intense rivalries. The case centered on Kendrick Lamar’s incendiary diss track, “Not Like Us,” which UMG distributed and promoted.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York ruled that the lyrics in Lamar’s song, which included serious allegations against Drake, constituted “non-actionable opinion” and could not be considered defamatory. The judge emphasized the unique context of the dispute—a “heated rap battle” between two of the genre’s biggest artists.
In her ruling, Judge Vargas stated that a “reasonable listener” would not perceive the track’s “hyperbolic vituperations” as verifiable facts. “Although the accusation that Plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff,” the judge wrote. The court noted that diss tracks are characteristically “replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language.”
Lawsuit alleges “false and malicious narrative”
Drake filed the lawsuit in January 2025, not against Kendrick Lamar, but against their shared parent record company, UMG. The complaint alleged that UMG had damaged his reputation and brand by actively promoting a song containing what he described as a “false and malicious narrative.”
Drake’s legal team argued that the label prioritized “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists” and that the song’s release led to tangible threats, including attempted break-ins at his Toronto home.
UMG says lawsuit was “an affront to all artists”
In response to the dismissal, UMG released a statement expressing satisfaction with the outcome. “From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day,” a spokesperson for the label said. “We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
Conversely, Drake’s representatives have indicated that the legal fight is not over. In a statement, a spokesperson for the rapper confirmed, “We intend to appeal today’s ruling, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
The decision marks a significant moment at the intersection of music, free speech, and defamation law, reinforcing the protection of artistic expression, even when it involves scathing personal attacks within the established conventions of a musical genre.