Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Gets Tossed
Written by b87fm on 10/10/2025
Drake just took another legal hit in his ongoing war with Kendrick Lamar.
A federal judge has dismissed Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Lamar’s explosive diss track “Not Like Us.” According to TMZ, U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas sided with UMG’s request to dismiss the case under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, ruling that the controversial lyrics at the center of the suit were “nonactionable opinion.”
“Because the Court concludes that the allegedly defamatory statements in Not Like Us are nonactionable opinion, the motion to dismiss is GRANTED,” Judge Vargas wrote.
A federal judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
“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
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) October 9, 2025
The fiery feud between the two rap giants hit its peak last summer with a barrage of diss records, including Drake’s “Push Ups” and Kendrick’s “Meet The Grahams.” But it was Lamar’s Mustard-produced “Not Like Us” that Judge Vargas referred to as the “metaphorical killing blow.” The track dominated charts and went viral for its scathing lyrics — including accusations that painted Drake as a pedophile.
While the judge acknowledged the statements were “capable of being proven true or false,” she emphasized that even criminal accusations can be protected if they’re clearly understood as opinion within the context of artistic expression.
Drake filed the lawsuit against UMG back in January, accusing the label of defamation and second-degree harassment. He alleged that UMG — despite its multimillion-dollar deal with him in 2022 — intentionally promoted Not Like Us and its video, fully aware the lyrics were false.
But UMG pushed back hard. CEO Sir Lucian Grainge publicly called the claims “groundless and ridiculous.” And following the court’s ruling, a UMG spokesperson added,
“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.”
A rep for Drake quickly responded, making it clear the fight isn’t over:
“We intend to appeal today’s ruling, and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
The ruling marks another chapter in one of hip-hop’s most public and personal battles. Kendrick’s diss may have won the cultural moment — and now, at least for now, the legal one too.
