Federal Judge Dismisses Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG

A New York federal judge has thrown out Drake’s defamation and harassment lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), his record label, tied to Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 diss track “Not Like Us.”

On Thursday, District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the case with prejudice, ruling that the song’s controversial lyrics—insinuating Drake engaged in sexual relations with minors—constituted “nonactionable opinion” and hyperbole typical of rap battles. “A reasonable listener could not have concluded that ‘Not Like Us’ was conveying objective facts about Drake,” Vargas wrote, noting the track’s “profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative language” as hallmarks of artistic expression in the “most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history.”

Drake’s lawsuit, filed in January 2025, accused UMG of knowingly promoting “Not Like Us” despite its allegedly false and defamatory claims, prioritizing “corporate greed” over artist safety. His legal team argued UMG’s aggressive promotion, including alleged use of bots and payola, amplified harm to Drake’s reputation. Vargas rejected this, stating that republication of non-defamatory opinion doesn’t create liability.

UMG welcomed the dismissal, stating, “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 decision and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music.”

The 2024 feud saw Drake and Lamar exchange eight diss tracks over 16 days, with “Not Like Us” becoming a cultural phenomenon, topping charts, winning five 2025 Grammy Awards (including Song and Record of the Year), and headlining Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance.

Drake’s team clarified Lamar was not a defendant, focusing blame on UMG’s actions. A spokesperson for Drake told ABC News they plan to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.