A U.S. federal judge in New York has dismissed rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), ruling that the label did not defame the Canadian artist by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us.”
In her ruling, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas described the case as stemming from “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in history,” rejecting Drake’s claim that UMG’s actions had damaged his reputation and encouraged public hostility against him.
Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG of spreading “false allegations” and fostering what he called “vigilante justice” through its promotion of Lamar’s song. Notably, Lamar was not named as a defendant in the case.
UMG, which represents both artists, denied any wrongdoing. Following the court’s decision, a spokesperson for the music conglomerate said: “This suit was an affront to artistic expression and never should have seen the light of day.”
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The dismissal marks the latest development in an ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar, one that has dominated headlines and sparked debates across the music industry. The rivalry — widely considered one of rap’s most intense in recent history — has led to a string of lyrical exchanges, social media clashes, and even legal entanglements.
Drake had previously filed complaints against iHeartMedia and Spotify, alleging unfair promotion of Lamar’s “Not Like Us” over his own releases. Despite the disputes, the track earned Lamar a Grammy Award and further cemented his reputation as one of hip-hop’s most lyrically potent figures.
With the case now dismissed, industry observers say the ruling reinforces long-standing protections for artistic expression within musical rivalries — even those that spill into the courtroom.