A federal judge in the US has dismissed a defamation lawsuit Drake brought against Universal Music Group.
Judge Jeannette A Vargas rejected the lawsuit in a written opinion that stated the case emerged from “perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history”.
In her summary, the judge stated that the alleged libellous words were opinion.
A spokesperson for Universal Music Group said: “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.”
From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day
UMG spokesperson
The Canadian star initially sued the major (his own label) over Kendrick Lamarr’s diss track Not Like Us. In legal papers filed in New York state’s Supreme Court in November 2024, Drake’s company, Frozen Moments, accused the major of artificially boosting streams of Not Like Us, released via UMG’s Interscope.
The legal dispute escalated earlier this year when Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against UMG in relation to the song’s release. At the time, the major described the claims as “untrue” and “illogical’’.
The Drake lawsuit alleged that UMG published and promoted Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, even though it included false allegations against Drake and suggested listeners should resort to vigilante justice.
Kendrick Lamar – also a Universal artist – was not named in the lawsuit.
