The legal back and forth between Drake and the lawsuit he lobbed against Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation has finally come to an end. But the decision that was made has people laughing out loud online and you’re about to know why.
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As we’ve been telling you since the headlines first broke in January, the Toronto rapper filed the suit citing accusations of approving and launching a campaign to create a hit that was meant to ruin his reputation by making a “false factual allegation” that the Toronto rapper is a “certified pedophile.” This was clearly in reference to Kendrick Lamar’s gargantuan, viral single “Not Like Us” in which he indirectly referenced Drake as a “certified pedophile.”
One week later, UMG filed their own motion to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the “In My Feelings” rapper didn’t have enough evidence to support his claims. The company also described Drake’s move as “a weak attempt to stop them from distributing Lamar’s smash hit.” After seeing their motion, Drake’s legal team fired back, noting that the dismissal was “doomed to fail.”
Fast forward to October, however, and it would be the 6 God’s attempts at making this suit stick that would be doomed to fail as a judge finally ruled to have it dismissed on Thursday. Per Billboard, the decision was made based off the assertion that Lamar’s statements in the song were “hyperbole” and therefore couldn’t be categorized as defamatory because listeners wouldn’t assume they were facts.
“The artists’ seven-track rap battle was a ‘war of words’ that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse,” the judge wrote. “Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff.”
In a separate statement from UMG, they expresses that Drake’s suit was an “affront to all artists and their creative expression” that should’ve never “seen the light of day.” They also said that they were happy with the results and looked forward to continuing to collaborate with Drake to promote his music and invest in his career. (Drake is signed to the label through its subsidiary Republic Records.)
While Drake or Kendrick have yet to respond to news of the suit dismissal, a spokesperson for the “Nice for What” rapper told ABC News that they do intend to appeal. But by the time the dismissal started making the rounds on social media–fans who were Team Kendrick couldn’t help but celebrate the victory lap and crack jokes in between.
“October’s very own got owned in October,” wrote one user, referencing Drake’s record label October’s Very Own (OVO).
“Gotta hand it to him [Drake]. first rapper to have a federal judge tell them they lost a battle is historic,” said another.
“Kendrick won the battle and the war chile,” one other user wrote.
Added another: “Imagine losing a rap beef, seeing a song that calls you a p*do become an anthem, suing over it, then watching the suit get dismissed. LMAOOOOOOOO”
DJ Hed, a popular LA DJ that Lamar brought out for his iconic Juneteenth “Pop Out” show in 2024, quoted a line from the rapper’s legendary Super Bowl Halftime Show from earlier this year: “They Tried To Rig The Game But You Can’t Fake Influence.”
“Drake’s lawyers were just racking up them billable hours they didn’t care,” said another.
And as one other user said: “Nigga said Drake lost the nigga way and the cracker way.”
No but seriously, losing from the culture’s standpoint and then losing in a court of law has got to sting. Just pack it up Drizzy and move onto your next album. Let’s close this chapter for good.
Straight From 
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