Judge Dismisses Drake’s Lawsuit Against Kendrick Lamar and UMG

Today, Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed Drake’s lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar and Universal Music Group (UMG). Drake claimed the major label defamed him for releasing the song “Not Like Us,” in which Lamar called him a “certified pedophile." However, the judge ruled that a battle rap verse did not violate the law.

The lawsuit:

• Drake claimed the song damaged his reputation because a vast majority of the public believed the claim that he was a pedophile.

• In her ruling, Vargas stated the lyrics were “hyperbole” and that she was not inclined to believe listeners would take them seriously, given the format.

• Drake also alleged that UMG, which is Drake’s label as well, used bots to artificially increase streaming numbers for “Not Like Us,” among other tactics that furthered his defamation.

• Drake’s attorneys have the right to appeal the decision.

What they said:

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