Drake’s lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar has officially been dismissed

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When disagreements between rappers escalate to legal battles, the situation becomes much more intense. Recently, a dispute between Drake and Universal Music Group has gained attention because of Kendrick Lamar‘s popular diss track, “Not Like Us.” The song contains harsh criticism of Drake and includes serious accusations that have caused widespread discussion and media coverage.

Earlier this year, Drake sued UMG for defamation, arguing that the claims made in the song “Not Like Us” harmed his reputation. After several months of discussion and news coverage, the lawsuit has now been resolved.

A recent lawsuit related to the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud was dismissed by Judge Jeannette Vargas, Billboard reports. She determined that lyrics from rap battles – particularly public and intense ones like theirs – shouldn’t be considered statements of fact. What does this decision mean for the highly publicized conflict? Here’s a closer look.

Judge rules rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake isn’t grounds for defamation

Judge Jeannette Vargas made it clear in her decision that the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar was simply a verbal conflict that had escalated publicly and become very dramatic. She explained this in an official statement, stating:

““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 plaintiff is a ped*phile 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.””Judge Jeannette Vargas

This ruling confirms that even harsh or personal conflicts between rappers are generally seen as part of the art of hip hop. The court understood the diss track as a continuation of a long-standing lyrical tradition, rather than a statement of fact.

When Drake first sued in January, the response from the rap world was varied. A lot of people thought it was a way to change the focus after Kendrick Lamar’s diss tracks, particularly “Not Like Us,” had become the main topic of conversation.

The lawsuit received a lot of criticism online, as many people felt that suing over a diss track didn’t align with the traditionally competitive nature of hip-hop.

With the case now closed, many see this as a win for free speech and creativity in hip hop. “Diss tracks,” or songs attacking others, have long been a key part of rap, and this decision confirms that even strongly worded lyrics are considered part of the art form.

Now that the lawsuit has been dropped, it sends a strong message: rappers who target each other in songs probably won’t win legal battles unless they can prove actual damage. It seems ‘diss tracks’ like “Not Like Us” will continue to be debated by fans and the public, rather than settled by courts.

It’s currently unknown if Drake will continue with legal action or put the conflict behind him and concentrate on his music. Regardless, this situation will be seen as a significant part of one of the biggest disagreements in hip hop history.

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2025-10-10 02:00