A U.S. federal judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us.” The ruling, delivered by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas in Manhattan, held that the song’s lyrics, which accused Drake of predatory behavior, are protected under the First Amendment as “nonactionable opinion” within the context of a rap feud.
Drake filed the suit earlier this year, claiming the track damaged his reputation and that UMG was liable for distributing and profiting from it. However, the court concluded that the lyrics could not reasonably be interpreted as factual statements, emphasizing that hip-hop battles often include exaggeration and artistic expression.
The dismissal marks a major victory for Lamar and UMG, further fueling the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and accountability in music. Drake’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the statements in the song went beyond artistic expression.
