Judge Throws Out Drake's Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us"

""even statements that are offensive or insulting are not defamatory when a reasonable listener would understand them as opinion, parody, or artistic expression rather than fact," adding that "within the cultural context of a rap battle - especially one of this magnitude - the average listener does not reasonably believe the lyrics to be literal accusations of criminal conduct.""

""approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out of a rap track""

""intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response.""

Drake sued Universal Music Group alleging the label approved and promoted Kendrick Lamar's diss track to create a viral hit that falsely accused Drake of being a criminal pedophile and urged vigilante action. Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the defamation claim, ruling that offensive or insulting rap lyrics are not defamatory when a reasonable listener would view them as opinion, parody, or artistic expression rather than factual assertions. The judge emphasized that, within the cultural context of a heated rap battle, average listeners do not interpret such lyrics as literal accusations of criminal conduct. "Not Like Us" was released May 4, 2024, and labels Drake and some associates as "certified pedophiles."

Read at Consequence