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Less than a year after Drake filed a defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s explosive diss track “Not Like Us,” a federal judge has officially dismissed the case.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the song was a “nonactionable opinion,” explaining that no reasonable listener would take Lamar’s lyrics literally. “The fact that the recording was made in the midst of a rap battle is essential to assessing its impact on a reasonable listener,” Judge Vargas wrote. “Even apparent statements of fact may take on the character of opinion when made in public debate or other circumstances where audiences expect hyperbole and fiery rhetoric.”
The lawsuit, filed in January, accused Universal Music Group — Drake’s own label — of defamation for distributing and promoting Lamar’s hit. UMG responded in March with a motion to dismiss, which the court has now granted.
A spokesperson for UMG celebrated the ruling, stating, “From the outset, this suit was an affront to 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 to promote Drake’s music and invest in his career.”
Drake’s legal team later amended the complaint to include UMG’s alleged role in Lamar’s Super Bowl performance and the song’s use at the 2025 Grammy Awards, but the court ultimately rejected those claims as well.
A federal judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) October 9, 2025
“Because the Court concludes that the allegedly defamatory statements in “Not Like Us” are nonactionable opinion, the motion to dismiss is GRANTED.”https://t.co/Y9MWL9qeaW pic.twitter.com/zhGNPGdKPS
