Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over ‘Not Like Us’ Dismissed | Legal Update (2025)

Drake's Legal Battle Crumbles: Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed!

In a shocking turn of events, Drake's highly publicized federal defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) has been dismissed by the court. The case, which made headlines earlier this year, centered around the controversial lyrics of Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us'.

But here's the twist: the judge deemed the lyrics as mere 'nonactionable opinion', stating that even accusations of criminal behavior, like pedophilia, are not grounds for defamation if they are presented as opinions rather than facts. This decision has sparked a heated debate in the music industry and beyond.

Drake's lawsuit alleged that UMG intentionally promoted Lamar's song, knowing the lyrics and music video falsely portrayed Drake as a pedophile. However, the judge argued that the average listener wouldn't mistake a diss track for a factual news report, and thus, Drake's claims were not valid.

And this is where it gets interesting: the court also pointed out that Lamar's pedophile reference was a direct response to Drake's own lyrics in his previous diss track, 'Taylor Made Freestyle'.

UMG has responded with a statement celebrating the court's decision, emphasizing their commitment to artistic freedom. But this raises a question: where do we draw the line between artistic expression and potentially harmful accusations?

As the dust settles, Drake has yet to comment on the ruling. Will he appeal, or is this the end of the road for his legal battle? The controversy continues, leaving fans and critics alike with much to discuss.

Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit Against UMG Over ‘Not Like Us’ Dismissed | Legal Update (2025)
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