In a ruling celebrated as a win for artistic freedom, a judge states that “reasonable” listeners understand the exaggerated nature of rap feuds, while Adekunle Gold shares a different priority: family over fame.
In a landmark decision for the music industry, a U.S. federal judge has thrown out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), siding with Kendrick Lamar in the legal battle over the scathing diss track “Not Like Us.”
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the song’s incendiary lyrics, which labeled Drake a “certified pedophile,” were clearly hyperbolic opinions, not factual claims. She emphasized that in the heated context of a rap feud, “a reasonable listener” would understand the lines as artistic expression rather than literal accusations.
The ruling is a significant victory for UMG, which had denounced the lawsuit as “frivolous” and a dangerous attempt to stifle artistic freedom. Despite the dismissal, a representative for Drake confirmed the artist plans to appeal the decision. Ironically, the controversy has done little to hurt the track’s success; “Not Like Us” has since become a massive hit, winning multiple Grammys and featuring prominently in Lamar’s high-profile Super Bowl performance.
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