Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) has been dismissed. On Thursday, October 9, a federal judge ruled that Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track Not Like Us, which called the 38-year-old Canadian rapper-singer a “certified pedophile”, was part of a “heated rap battle” and the “war of words” did not violate any law.
In January this year, Drake filed a defamation case against Universal Music Group (UMG) in a New York federal court. He accused the music label of orchestrating a malicious campaign against him after the release of Not Like Us. Through his lawsuit, he mentioned that the song contained false allegations and caused significant harm to his reputation.
Judge Mentioned Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us Lyrics Were “Hyperbole”
In the latest development to the case, Judge Jeannette Vargas granted UMG’s motion to dismiss the case at the outset, saying that the insulting lyrics by Kendrick were not statements of fact, but “hyperbole” and that no reasonable listener would take the lyrics literally. “The artists’ seven-track rap battle was a ‘war of words’ that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse,” the judge said, as quoted by Billboard.
She added, “Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff.”
Through his lawsuit, the Canadian rapper argued that UMG knew all about the song’s lyrics and the images used in the music video, yet still chose to publish the track for profit. Drake clarified that the “lawsuit is not about the artist who created Not Like Us” but “entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetise allegations that it understood were not only false but dangerous.”
Judge Rejected Drake’s Lawsuit, Calling His Argument “Logically Incoherent”
Judge Jeannette rejected all of Drake’s claims, calling parts of his argument “logically incoherent.” She said that even though Not Like Us became a massive hit, winning five Grammys and dominating music charts, that success doesn’t change the fact that the song was just artistic expression, not “accurate factual reporting.”
She added, “The recording was published as part of a heated public feud, in which both participants exchanged progressively caustic, inflammatory insults and accusations. This is precisely the type of context in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole rather than factual assertions.”
How Universal Music Group And Drake Reacted To The Dimissal Of The Lawsuit
UMG welcomed the decision. In a statement, the music label said, “From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. We’re pleased with the court’s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake’s music and investing in his career.”
However, Drake wasn’t pleased with the judgment. His lawyers revealed that they plan to appeal, and are looking “ forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it.”
