A federal judge in New York has dismissed Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over claims of defamation tied to Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track Not Like Us. The ruling, obtained by Variety, concluded that the lyrics in question — which accused Drake of being a “certified pedophile” — were part of a “heated rap battle” and not meant to be interpreted as factual statements.
Judge Jeannette Vargas wrote in her decision that while the accusations were serious, the nature of competitive rap battles relies on exaggerated, often offensive language that reasonable listeners would not mistake for literal truth.
“Although the accusation that [Drake] 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 Drake,” the judge explained.
Drake had filed the defamation suit against UMG, Lamar’s record label, earlier this year, arguing that the song’s allegations damaged his reputation. However, the court ruled that the lyrics fell under protected artistic expression and therefore did not meet the legal standard for defamation.
In a statement following the decision, UMG said, “From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. 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.”
Despite the ruling, Drake’s representatives told the Guardian that they plan to challenge the outcome. “We intend to appeal today’s ruling, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it,” a spokesperson for the rapper said.
The legal dispute stems from Lamar’s explosive 2024 track Not Like Us, released during a highly publicized rap feud between the two hip-hop stars. The song, which took multiple personal jabs at Drake, accused him of inappropriate behavior and implied that he was unfit to be around children — lines that quickly went viral across social media.
Lamar later performed Not Like Us during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which drew an audience of nearly 127.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched broadcast in Super Bowl history.
The dismissal marks the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the two artists, whose lyrical battle captivated fans and dominated headlines throughout 2024. While Drake’s team continues to push back legally, the court’s decision reinforces the long-standing protection of artistic expression — even when it strikes a personal chord.