Judge Rules in favor of Universal Music, dismissing Drake’s case over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

Wireless Festival 2025 - Day Two - Source: Getty
Wireless Festival 2025 - Day Two - Source: Getty

Drake’s lawsuit against his record label, Universal Music Group, over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us lyrics has been dismissed by a federal judge. On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that a verbal fight, particularly during a rap battle, does not violate any laws.

Judge Vargas wrote:

“The artists’ seven-track rap battle was a ‘war of words’ that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse.”

She noted that while the accusation against Drake of being a pedophile is serious, both parties made offensive claims about each other, so no statement stands as a verifiable fact.

“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.”

Following the lawsuit dismissal, a UMG spokesman told Billboard that they are pleased with the court ruling and that a lawsuit shouldn't have been filed in the first place.

“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.”

More details on Drake’s lawsuit against UMG

In January 2025, popular Canadian rapper Drake filed a lawsuit against his parent record label, Universal Music Group, also known as UMG. Drake alleged in the lawsuit that UMF promoted and released a Kendrick Lamar track, Not Like Us, which included false pedophilia allegations against Drake and suggested listeners should resort to vigilante justice.

He added that the label knew the allegations were false yet promoted the song, ruining his reputation and career.

“UMG brazenly continued to publish and promote the [song] even after [Drake’s] home was attacked by a gunman, after his businesses were defaced, after [Drake] made UMG aware of the falsity of the allegations (and the harm they were causing), and after UMG knew that the public believed the allegations to be true statements of fact,” part of the filings as obtained by People magazine read.

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Edited by Sroban Ghosh