Judge Dismisses Drake‘s Defamation Suit Against Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
A federal judge has dismissed Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) alleging the label promoted Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claimed defamed him and lead to security threats. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, October 9, centers on Drake’s assertion that UMG intentionally amplified the song despite its allegedly defamatory content.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the lyrics of “Not Like Us” constitute opinions, not verifiable facts, and that a reasonable listener would understand the song as part of a “heated rap battle” filled with hyperbole. “Although the accusation that Plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context…would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff,” Judge Vargas wrote in her decision.
Drake’s lawsuit also connected the song’s popularity to attempted break-ins at his toronto home and a shooting involving a security guard. He argued that the single’s artwork, which featured an aerial view of his mansion overlaid with markers resembling sex offender locations, implied thirteen residents where sex offenders.Judge Vargas dismissed this claim, stating the image was “obviously exaggerated and doctored” and “no reasonable person would view the image and believe that in fact law enforcement had designated thirteen residents in drake’s home as sex offenders.”
Drake’s legal team stated they intend to appeal the ruling,saying,”We intend to appeal today’s ruling,and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
UMG released a statement following the dismissal,calling the lawsuit “an affront to all artists and their creative expression” and expressing satisfaction with the court’s decision. The label affirmed its commitment to “continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
