A federal judge has thrown out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, asserting that lyrics from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” were protected opinion. The judge, Jeannette A. Vargas, cited the intense nature of the rap battle, describing it as “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history.” She concluded that a reasonable listener would not interpret the lyrics, which accused Drake of pedophilia, as presenting objective facts. The lawsuit, filed in January, claimed UMG published and promoted the song despite its damaging and false allegations, which also allegedly encouraged vigilante justice. Drake’s legal team argued the track harmed his reputation and brand value. Universal Music Group, the parent label for both artists, denied the claims, stating the suit was an “affront to all artists and their creative expression.” The label expressed satisfaction with the dismissal and affirmed its commitment to promoting Drake’s music.
