A federal judge in New York dismissed Drake’s defamation suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track “Not Like Us.” The court effectively told Drizzy to take the “L,” ruling that Lamar’s scathing lyrics, no matter how personal, were protected artistic expression, not defamation.
Drake filed the lawsuit back in January, arguing that UMG profited from a song that “destroyed his reputation” by implying he’s a “certified pedophile.” Though Lamar wasn’t directly named in the suit, Drake accused the label of fueling and monetizing the controversy for clicks and streams. Ouch.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas wasn’t having it. In her decision, she wrote that diss-track lyrics are “opinion rather than defamatory statements,” and that no reasonable listener would treat Lamar’s bars as literal accusations. Translation: rap beef is not a courtroom matter. Tell ’em, your honor!
The fight took a dramatic turn in April when Drake amended his complaint to include Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance, arguing that the spectacle reinforced the “false narrative.” UMG clapped back, saying Drake’s claims were overblown and that he was inviting a level of legal scrutiny he might not actually want.
Legal experts sided with UMG, warning that taking Drake’s claims seriously could open the floodgates to lawsuits every time a rapper throws shade. “It’s art, not affidavits,” one scholar quipped. Clever!
While Drake can still appeal, this ruling closes another chapter in a feud that’s become hip-hop folklore. For now, the court agrees with what most of the internet decided months ago: Drake may be “the boy,” but in this battle, Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” hits harder than any legal argument.
Jamie Broadnax is the creator of the online publication and multimedia space for Black women called BlkCosmo Blerds. Jamie has appeared on MSNBC’s The Melissa Harris-Perry Show and The Grio’s Top 100. Her Twitter personality has been recognized by Shonda Rhimes as one of her favorites to follow. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and executive producer of the BlkCosmo Blerds Podcast.
