Judge Dismisses Drake Defamation Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

A federal judge has thrown out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. The case centered on the distribution and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” The ruling was issued on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas.

Drake had accused the music giant of defaming him by promoting the song. He claimed it contained false allegations portraying him as a pedophile. The court found the song’s lyrics constitute protected opinion, not factual statements.

Court Rules Diss Track Lyrics Are Artistic Expression, Not Fact

Judge Vargas stated that a reasonable listener would not interpret the song as stating objective facts. She emphasized the context of the ongoing rap battle between the two artists. The ruling protects the creative expression inherent in musical feuds.

The court noted the track is full of profanity and hyperbolic language. These are clear indicators of opinion, not verifiable claims. According to Reuters, the judge wrote that diss tracks are not seen as products of “disinterested investigation.”

Broader Impact on Music Industry and Artistic Freedom

The dismissal is seen as a significant win for artistic freedom. It reinforces that hyperbolic insults in musical rivalries are protected speech. The decision sets a precedent for how courts may view similar disputes in the future.

For the music industry, the ruling clarifies the legal boundaries of creative expression. Record labels can have more confidence in distributing contentious material. The feud captivated hip-hop fans, but its legal conclusion upholds the tradition of rap battles.

The dismissal of the Drake defamation lawsuit solidifies the legal protection for artistic expression in music. This ruling confirms that diss tracks are understood as opinion, not fact. The outcome is a definitive moment for hip-hop and creative freedom.

Thought you’d like to know

What was Drake’s lawsuit about?

Drake sued Universal Music Group, claiming it defamed him by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” He alleged the song falsely labeled him a pedophile. The court dismissed the case entirely.

Why did the judge dismiss the lawsuit?

The judge ruled the song’s lyrics are opinion, not factual assertions. She stated no reasonable listener would take the track’s claims as verified facts. The context of a rap battle was key to the decision.

What has been the impact of “Not Like Us”?

The song was a massive commercial and critical success. It won record and song of the year at the Grammy Awards. Lamar also performed it during the Super Bowl halftime show.

How does this affect future music disputes?

The ruling strengthens legal protections for artistic expression in music. It makes it harder for artists to sue over insults in diss tracks. This supports the long-standing tradition of lyrical rivalries in hip-hop.

What was the core of the legal argument?

The case hinged on whether the song conveyed factual statements. The court found its tone and context showed it was opinion. Profanity and hyperbolic language supported this conclusion.

Trusted Sources

Reuters, Associated Press, BBC