A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by rapper Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding Kendrick Lamar's diss track, "Not Like Us." The ruling was made on Thursday by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas, who stated that the lyrics in question were considered opinion rather than factual claims.

In her written opinion, Judge Vargas noted the context of the ongoing rivalry between the two artists, describing it as part of "perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre’s history." She emphasized that a reasonable listener would not interpret the lyrics as conveying objective facts about Drake. Vargas acknowledged the seriousness of the accusation, stating, "Although the accusation that Plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle... would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff."

Drake's lawsuit, filed in January, claimed that UMG published and promoted Lamar's track despite its inclusion of false allegations against him. The suit argued that the lyrics suggested listeners should engage in vigilante justice, which led to violence at Drake's home in Toronto, damaged his reputation, and diminished the value of his brand.

UMG, which represents both artists, denied the allegations. In a statement, the label expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "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."

Kendrick Lamar was not named in the lawsuit, and there has been no immediate response from Drake's representatives regarding the ruling. The case highlights the complexities of artistic expression within the music industry, particularly in the context of competitive rivalries among artists.