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

A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.