UPDATE (OCT. 9):
A spokesperson for Drake has launched a press release to XXL concerning immediately’s court docket determination to dismiss the rapper’s defamation lawsuit towards Common Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
“We intend to attraction immediately’s ruling, and we stay up for the Courtroom of Appeals reviewing it,” the assertion reads.
ORIGINAL STORY (OCT. 9):
Drake‘s defamation lawsuit towards Common Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has been dismissed in court docket.
On Thursday (Oct. 9), Choose Jeannette A. Vargas issued a ruling on the case, which was filed again in January. After listening to arguments from each side over the past a number of months, Choose Vargas has sided with UMG and has thrown out the case earlier than the trial stage.
“Drake has introduced this motion towards UMG for defamation, harassment within the second diploma, and violation of part 349 of the New York Basic Enterprise Legislation,” the ruling reads. “Earlier than the Courtroom is Defendant’s movement to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Guidelines of Civil Process. As a result of the Courtroom concludes that the allegedly defamatory statements in ‘Not Like Us’ are nonactionable opinion, the movement to dismiss is GRANTED.”
Drake filed two since-dropped pre-action petitions towards UMG in 2024, claiming they used unlawful ways to artificially inflate the numbers on Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” In January, he adopted up with a federal defamation lawsuit towards the music large for distributing and selling “Not Like Us,” which references Drizzy as a toddler predator.
A spokesperson for UMG has launched the next assertion to XXL concerning the lawsuit dismissal.
“From the outset, this swimsuit was an affront to all artists and their inventive expression and by no means ought to have seen the sunshine of day,” the assertion reads. “We’re happy with the court docket’s dismissal and stay up for persevering with our work efficiently selling Drake’s music and investing in his profession.”
XXL has reached out to Drake’s lawyer for remark.
See the Choose’s Ruling in Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit
