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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Universal Music Group (UMG) filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit, arguing his claims stem from his perceived loss in a publicized rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. UMG contends Drake’s suit is a misguided attempt to recover from the highly publicized feud, characterizing the diss tracks as typical hyperbolic insults within the genre. The label denies Drake’s allegations of defamation and claims his lawsuit lacks merit. UMG further highlights Drake’s past criticism of using artistic expression against artists in legal cases, emphasizing the hypocrisy of his current action.
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John Q. Hosedrinker