A federal judge in New York has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), ruling that the record label did not damage the rapper’s reputation by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track, “Not Like Us.”
In her ruling, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas described the case as stemming from “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in history,” rejecting Drake’s claims that UMG encouraged “vigilante justice” and spread false allegations through its promotion of the song.
Drake, who filed the lawsuit in January, argued that the label’s involvement in marketing the track amounted to defamation and emotional distress. However, the court found no basis for his claims, emphasizing that artistic expression — including diss tracks — is protected under the First Amendment.
UMG, which represents both artists, welcomed the decision.
“This suit was an affront to artistic expression and never should have seen the light of day,” a UMG spokesperson said following the ruling.
The legal dispute marks the latest chapter in the long-running feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which has dominated hip-hop headlines throughout 2024 and 2025. The rivalry reached a boiling point with Lamar’s “Not Like Us”, a song that not only topped global charts but also earned a Grammy Award, further intensifying one of rap’s most polarizing showdowns.
Drake has also filed previous complaints against iHeartMedia and Spotify, accusing them of giving “Not Like Us” disproportionate promotional support over his own releases — allegations that both companies denied.
Despite the controversies, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” remains a cultural moment in hip-hop history, symbolizing both the power of lyrical competition and the blurred lines between art, rivalry, and reputation in modern rap culture.
