Random media commentary

Wait...Dr. Umar been a KKKoon this whole time???? Wow. Who knew? LOL!

 

Universal Music Group Beats Drake’s ‘Not Like Us’ Defamation Suit
By Winston Cho, Ethan Millman from the Hollywood Reporter.com
October 9, 2025 1:28pm

Drake sued his record company earlier this year on allegations that the company defamed him by releasing Kendrick Lamar's Grammy-winning diss track.

Universal Music Group will not have to face lawsuit from Drake, who accused the record company of defamation over its distribution and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

Dismissing the case, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas found on Thursday that Lamar’s diss track advances “nonactionable opinion” that can’t be considered defamatory.

Lamar (Interscope Records) and Drake (Republic Records) are represented by two different labels in the UMG system. Their rap battle turned to court earlier this year when the Toronto rapper claimed that UMG, which oversaw the distribution of “Not Like Us,” spread defamatory allegations that he’s a pedophile by making secret payments and offering reduced licensing rates to third parties to promote the song, with the goal of devaluing his music and brand amid contract negotiations.

Drake and UMG didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The feud started with Drake’s “First Person Shooter,” in which he and J. Cole proclaimed themselves the “big three” alongside Lamar. In response, the Compton rapper rejected the idea that they’re his equals in “Like That.” Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia. It culminated with Lamar’s release of the anthemic West Coast banger in May, leading to spectators crowning him the winner of the battle.

At the heart of the case: Whether “Not Like Us” can be understood to convey factual statements that Drake is a pedophile and has had sex with minors.

In the ruling, the court explained that the context of the song’s release during a rap battle is essential to understanding whether listeners understood Lamar’s song to defamatory.

“The average listener is not under the impression that a diss track is the product of a thoughtful or disinterested investigation, conveying to the public fact-checked verifiable content,” Vargas wrote.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.