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Posted on 10/09/2025 9:57:06 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A United States federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought on by Drake against Universal Music Group. The rapper accused his own record company of defamation over its distribution and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s infamous “Not Like Us” diss track.
District Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the suit on Thursday citing Lamar’s track as a “nonactionable opinion” that is not considered defamatory.
Robert De Niro Is Trump's New FCC Chair in Kimmel's Return: 'I'm the F---ing FCC, I Can F---ing Say Whatever the F--- I Want' “The fact that the Recording was made in the midst of a rap battle is essential to assessing its impact on a reasonable listener,” wrote Judge Vargas. “Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion… when made in public debate, heated labor dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole.”
A spokesperson for UMG tells Variety, “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.”
In a statement, Drake’s representatives said they intend to appeal today’s ruling, “and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
Drake filed his initial suit against UMG in January over Lamar‘s “Not Like Us,” claiming that the label intentionally engaged in defamation by promoting the song. “Not Like Us” arrived in May 2024 as the hardest strike in an intense rap battle that saw the pair throwing wild accusations at each other, including Lamar branding Drake as a “certified pedophile.”
“Although the accusation that Plaintiff 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 Plaintiff,” writes the judge.
In March, UMG filed their motion to dismiss. Drake’s legal counsel refiled an amended complaint to focus on events that took place since the initial filing. Most notably, the filing called out for UMG knowingly negotiated and promoted “Not Like Us” via Lamar’s Super Bowl performance and consented to the track being played at the 2025 Grammy Awards (where it took home five Grammys).
Counsel for the company retaliated by saying Drake’s amended complaint “removed obviously false factual allegations,” adding that the “new allegations are astonishing.”
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Drake propped up Kendrick in his early years by inviting him to be his opening act on tour. And Kendrick “thanks” him a decade plus later with catty diss tracks. It’s so petty.
Drake needs to take a note from Taylor Swift’s book. Either ignore it or respond later through better music.
And what’s also annoying is that Jay Z’s stupid company chooses the NFL half time show. And so he picks the likes of Bad Bunny, Kendrick, etc..
Many want a break from hip hop stuff, but even 50Cent would have been less divisive than Bad Bunny. Too bad Jay Z has “beef” with 50. So there goes that option. 🙄
Not speaking to the merits of this case, but UMG has been accused of being quite the predatory operation itself at least in terms of harassing YT content providers such as Rick Beato.
Low IQ toddlers in expensive Nikes. A degenerate culture that loves violence filth and poverty. Even with incredible wealth and prestige they just can’t leave their sewer behind them. Even worse people worship these degenerates.
Drake is a joke and an industry plant. Now he is turning against them. His career is over.
if I were him, I’d hide out and then make a comeback as an actor. That was his original trade back in Canada before venturing into rap. And from my youthful memory, he was okay at it.
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