Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Lyrics

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October 11, 2025

Judge Dismisses Drake‘s Defamation Suit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

New York, NY – A federal court in new York has sided with artistic freedom, dismissing Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. The case revolved around Kendrick Lamar’s track, “Not Like Us,” and accusations that its lyrics constituted harmful falsehoods.

The Ruling Explained

U.S. District Judge Jeannette A.vargas delivered the decision on October 9, 2025, rejecting all claims brought forth by Drake, including allegations of defamation, harassment, and deceptive business practices. The court determined that the contentious lyrics within “Not Like Us,” which contained pointed accusations against Drake and his associates, were not reasonably interpretable as statements of verifiable fact.

Judge Vargas underscored that the song emerged from a well-documented and frequently enough provocative rivalry within the hip-hop community, where exaggeration and assertive language are commonplace forms of creative expression.

Timeline of Events

Drake initially filed the lawsuit in January 2025, alleging that Universal Music Group knowingly profited from damaging and untrue statements within “Not Like Us.” The complaint was later amended in April, following performances of the song by Kendrick Lamar at the Grammy Awards and during the Super bowl LIX Halftime Show. Drake argued the label continued its endorsement of the track despite knowing the alleged falsehoods contained within.

The dispute originated from a highly publicized exchange of eight “diss tracks” between Drake and Lamar between April and May 2024. The release of “Not like us” on May 4, 2024, quickly escalated the feud and became the focal point of the legal challenge. The song rapidly achieved chart-topping status worldwide.

Drake contended that Universal bore duty for publishing,and financially benefiting from,lyrics that asserted criminal conduct. He also suggested the song’s accompanying visuals implied a false designation as a registered sex offender.

Artistic Expression vs. Defamation

Judge Vargas firmly rejected these assertions,underscoring that the song represented a competitive “war of words” between artists. The court maintained that a reasonable audience member would perceive the song as an expressive artistic statement, rather than a literal accusation. Prior legal precedents affirming protection for provocative artistic speech played a key role in the decision.

The court also dismissed Drake’s harassment claim, pointing to new York law prohibiting civil claims for harassment.Lastly,the claim for deceptive business practices also failed due to insufficient evidence.

Impact and Aftermath

The court acknowledged the notable commercial success of “Not Like Us”. The track garnered the record of the Year award at the 2025 Grammy Awards and was a featured performance during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, drawing an audience of over 133 million viewers. Judge Vargas emphasized that the song’s popularity did not alter its essential nature as an artistic creation.

This ruling follows a related dispute between Drake and iHeartRadio, initiated in November 2024, wherein Drake alleged that Universal influenced radio airplay for “Not Like Us” through improper payments.That case concluded earlier in 2025 with iHeartRadio providing supporting records, leading Drake to withdraw his petition. No financial settlement was reached.

Understanding Defamation in the Music Industry

Defamation lawsuits involving musical lyrics are frequently enough complex, requiring a delicate balance between protecting free speech and safeguarding an individual’s reputation. courts generally consider the context of the work, the intent of the artist, and whether a reasonable audience would interpret the lyrics as factual statements. This case highlights the high bar for proving defamation when artistic expression is involved.

Did You Know? According to a 2024 report by the Authors Guild, legal challenges related to artistic expression have increased by 15% in the last five years, reflecting a growing awareness of rights and protections for creators.

Pro Tip: When analyzing perhaps defamatory statements, consider the genre and typical conventions of that art form. What may be considered libelous in a news report could be acceptable artistic license in a hip-hop track.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Case

What impact do you think this ruling will have on future disputes between artists? Do you believe the line between artistic expression and defamation is becoming more blurred in the age of social media?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How does the “actual malice” standard impact defamation cases involving public figures like Drake and Kendrick Lamar?

Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed: A Breakdown of the Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” Case

The Dismissal & Key Players

On October 11, 2025, a California judge dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar, stemming from lyrics in Lamar’s track “not Like Us.” The lawsuit, filed earlier this year, centered around claims that Lamar’s lyrics falsely accused Drake of various offenses, including domestic violence and association with gang activity. The core of the dispute revolved around interpretations of lyrical content within the context of their ongoing rap feud. This dismissal marks a significant moment in the intersection of hip-hop, free speech, and defamation law.

Understanding the Allegations & Drake’s Claims

Drake’s legal team argued that specific lines in “Not Like Us” constituted libel and slander, causing significant damage too his reputation and brand. Specifically,the lawsuit targeted lyrics suggesting Drake had a history of abusive behavior towards women and connections to criminal organizations.

Here’s a breakdown of the key allegations:

* False Accusations of Abuse: Drake claimed the lyrics implied he physically harmed women, a claim he vehemently denied.

* Gang Affiliation: The lawsuit asserted Lamar falsely linked Drake to gang activity, damaging his public image.

* Intent to Harm: Drake’s lawyers argued Lamar intentionally crafted the lyrics to inflict reputational harm.

* Commercial Damage: The suit also alleged financial losses due to the negative publicity generated by the song.

The legal strategy hinged on proving Lamar acted with “actual malice” – meaning he knew the statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for their truthfulness – a high bar for public figures in defamation cases.

Why the Lawsuit Was Dismissed: Legal Precedents & First Amendment Protections

The judge ultimately ruled in favor of Kendrick Lamar, citing First Amendment protections and the difficulty of proving defamation in the context of artistic expression, especially within the genre of rap music. Several factors contributed to the dismissal:

* Hyperbole & Artistic License: The court recognized that rap lyrics frequently enough employ exaggeration,metaphor,and artistic license,making it challenging to interpret them as factual statements.

* Context of a rap Battle: The judge considered the lyrics within the context of a heated public feud between two prominent rappers, acknowledging the expectation of aggressive and provocative language.

* Lack of Proof of “Actual malice”: Drake’s team failed to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating Lamar knowingly made false statements or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

* Established Legal Precedents: The ruling aligns with previous cases involving celebrity defamation, where courts have generally afforded significant protection to artistic expression.

This case echoes previous legal battles involving artists like Ice-T and Eminem, where similar arguments regarding artistic freedom and hyperbole were successfully employed.

The Role of “Not Like Us” & the Rap Feud

“Not Like Us,” released as a diss track responding to Drake’s earlier verses, ignited a fierce back-and-forth between the two artists. The song quickly became a viral sensation,fueling intense debate and speculation about the underlying issues driving the feud.

Key elements of the song that sparked the lawsuit include:

* Direct Attacks on Drake’s Character: Lamar’s lyrics directly challenged Drake’s integrity and public persona.

* References to Drake’s Personal Life: The song alluded to sensitive aspects of Drake’s personal life, including his relationships.

* Aggressive Tone & Language: The track employed a highly aggressive and confrontational tone, characteristic of diss tracks in hip-hop.

The song’s popularity and widespread dissemination amplified the potential damage to Drake’s reputation, prompting the legal action.

Implications for Future Cases: Defamation in the Age of Social Media & Music

This dismissal sets a precedent for future defamation lawsuits involving artists and public figures. It reinforces the importance of distinguishing between factual statements and artistic expression, particularly in genres like rap where hyperbole and metaphor are commonplace.

Here are some key takeaways:

* Higher Burden of Proof: Public figures face a considerably higher burden of proof in defamation cases, requiring them to demonstrate “actual malice.”

* Context Matters: The context in which statements are made – including the genre, medium, and ongoing disputes – is crucial in determining their meaning and potential for defamation.

* First Amendment Protections: The First Amendment continues to provide strong protections for artistic expression, even when that expression is controversial or provocative.

* Social Media & Online Content: The rise of social media and online content has created new challenges for defamation law, as statements can spread rapidly and reach a vast audience. online defamation is a growing area of legal concern.

benefits of Understanding This Case

Understanding the nuances of this case provides valuable insights for:

* Artists & Musicians: Awareness of the legal boundaries of artistic expression and the potential risks of defamation.

* Legal Professionals: A deeper understanding of the challenges of litigating defamation cases involving artists and public figures.

* Media Consumers: A more critical outlook on the interpretation of lyrics and online content.

* Public Relations Professionals: Strategies for managing reputational risks in the age of social media and