Rapper had claimed UMG helped to damage his reputation by distributing Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us
A federal judge has thrown out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), ruling that the company cannot be held responsible for promoting Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track Not Like Us.
US district judge Jeannette Vargas decided Thursday that the song’s lyrics express “nonactionable opinion” and therefore cannot be considered defamatory.
“The issue in this case is whether Not Like Us can reasonably be understood to convey as a factual matter that Drake is a pedophile or that he has engaged in sexual relations with minors,” the judgment states. “In light of the overall context in which the statements in the Recording were made, the Court holds that it cannot.”
In a statement provided to Variety, a UMG spokesperson 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.”
