A federal judge in New York has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, ruling that Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Not Like Us” is a protected form of artistic expression rather than a statement of fact.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas issued the decision on October 9, 2025, rejecting all of Drake’s claims, which included defamation, harassment, and deceptive business practices. The court found that the lyrics in “Not Like Us,” which accuse Drake and his associates of being “certified pedophiles,” could not reasonably be taken as factual allegations. Judge Vargas wrote that the song was part of a long-running artistic rivalry within hip-hop, where exaggeration, provocation, and personal jabs are often used as creative expression.

Drake first filed the lawsuit against Universal Music Group in January 2025, claiming the label intentionally profited from false and damaging statements made in “Not Like Us.” After Kendrick Lamar performed the song at both the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, Drake amended his complaint in April to expand his allegations. The revised filing asserted that Universal continued to promote and monetize the track despite knowing the lyrics were false, citing its Grammy win, televised performances, and global reach as evidence that the label’s actions intensified the alleged reputational harm.

The case originated from one of the most publicized music feuds in recent years. Between April and May 2024, Drake and Lamar exchanged a series of eight “diss tracks” in a 16-day span. The feud escalated sharply with Lamar’s release of “Not Like Us” on May 4, 2024, the song at the center of Drake’s defamation claims. The track quickly rose to the top of global streaming charts, drawing widespread attention for both its lyrical content and its role in the artists’ ongoing dispute.

Drake argued that Universal should be held responsible for publishing and profiting from lyrics that accused him of criminal behavior. He also claimed that the music video and related imagery implied he was a registered sex offender.

Judge Vargas rejected the claims, ruling that the lyrics were clearly part of a competitive “war of words” between two artists. The court stated that a reasonable listener would understand the song as an artistic expression, rather than a literal accusation. The opinion cited prior rulings that protected provocative speech in artistic works, emphasizing that even harsh or offensive statements can be understood as opinion when delivered in a creative or performative setting.

The court also dismissed Drake’s harassment claim, noting that New York law does not allow a civil lawsuit for harassment. His claim under General Business Law Section 349, which alleged deceptive business practices, was also dismissed for lack of evidence.

The opinion acknowledged the song’s extraordinary success. “Not Like Us” won Record of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards and was performed by Lamar during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2025, which drew more than 133 million viewers. Judge Vargas stated that the track’s popularity “does not alter its artistic nature or transform exaggeration into fact.”

The court’s ruling follows a separate dispute between Drake and iHeartRadio, filed in November 2024, in which he alleged that Universal made improper payments to boost radio airplay for “Not Like Us.” That case was settled earlier this year after iHeart provided records showing no wrongdoing, and Drake agreed to withdraw his petition. No payments were made as part of the resolution.