Judge tosses Drake defamation suit over 'Not Like Us'
U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the defamation suit Drake filed in January alleging Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” suggested vigilante justice and linked the song to attempted break‑ins and a guard’s shooting at his Toronto home, finding that in the context of a “vitriolic war of words” a reasonable listener would not take the lyrics as asserting objective facts. Universal Music Group, which was sued, welcomed the dismissal and called the suit “an affront to all artists,” while Lamar himself was not named as a defendant; oral arguments on the motion were held in June.
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📌 Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed Drake's defamation suit against Universal Music Group (the label), issuing a written opinion.
- The court said that, given the context of a "heated rap battle" and a "vitriolic war of words," a reasonable listener would not take Kendrick Lamar's lyrics in "Not Like Us" as conveying objective facts.
- Drake's complaint alleged the track suggested vigilante justice and linked the song to attempted break‑ins and a guard's shooting at his Toronto home.
- Procedural timeline: the suit was filed in January and oral arguments on the dismissal were held in June.
- Universal Music Group, noting Kendrick Lamar was not named as a defendant, called the suit "an affront to all artists" and welcomed the dismissal.
📰 Sources (2)
Drake’s defamation suit against label over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ tossed by judge
New information:
- Judge identified as U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas, who issued a written opinion dismissing the case.
- Court reasoned a reasonable listener would not take the lyrics as conveying objective facts given the 'heated rap battle' context; the opinion referenced a 'vitriolic war of words.'
- Universal Music Group statement calling the suit 'an affront to all artists' and welcoming the dismissal; Lamar was not named as a defendant.
- Procedural details: suit filed in January; oral arguments on dismissal held in June.
- Drake’s complaint alleged the track suggested vigilante justice and linked the song to attempted break‑ins and a guard’s shooting at his Toronto home.