A judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” The judge determined that Lamar’s lyrics, which accused Drake of being a “certified pedophile,” were “nonactionable opinion” within the context of a rap battle. Drake’s spokesperson confirmed plans to appeal the ruling, while UMG expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The judge highlighted the ongoing feud as a “war of words” and noted that Drake’s earlier song, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” invited Lamar to make the very accusations featured in “Not Like Us.”
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A federal judge dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” ruling the lyrics were opinion within the context of a rap battle. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas stated that the song’s accusations, though serious, would not be perceived as factual by a reasonable listener due to the heated and hyperbolic nature of the feud. The lawsuit, filed in January, alleged the track, which explicitly branded Drake as a pedophile, contained false and defamatory allegations, but the court sided with UMG, leading Drake’s legal team to announce plans to appeal the decision. The song, recognized for its success, was the culmination of a rap battle that included escalating personal insults.
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A judge has ruled in favor of Drake’s request to access Kendrick Lamar’s recording contracts and Universal Music Group’s executive compensation data as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit. Drake alleges that Lamar’s song, “Not Like Us,” which contained accusations of pedophilia, is defamatory and that Universal knowingly promoted the false claims. Universal had sought to halt the discovery process and dismiss the case, arguing the request was overly burdensome, but the judge rejected this motion. A hearing on Universal’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for June 30th.
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Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed petitions in New York and Texas alleging that Universal Music Group (UMG) employed deceptive practices to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track targeting Drake. The petitions claim UMG used bots, paid for radio play (payola), and manipulated Spotify’s algorithms to boost the song’s streams, all while charging below-market licensing rates. These actions, Drake alleges, caused him significant financial harm and violated the RICO Act. UMG denies the allegations, stating their marketing practices are ethical and that fan preference drives music popularity.
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Rick Ross, known for his larger-than-life persona and gritty rap lyrics, recently found himself in a scuffle following his performance at a Vancouver festival. Reports indicate that the altercation erupted after he decided to play Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” to close out his set. The decision to play a song known for its controversial lyrics seemed to strike a nerve with some in the crowd, leading to an unfortunate incident.
It is no secret that tensions can run high in the world of rap and hip-hop, where artists often use their music as a platform to express their grievances and call out their rivals.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker