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Drake\u2019s defamation lawsuit<\/a> against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar<\/a>\u2019s hit diss track \u201cNot Like Us\u201d has been dismissed by a federal judge.<\/p>\n The monthslong feud between the two Grammy-winning rappers came to a head in May 2024, when Lamar released the diss track in which he included false allegations that Drake is a \u201ccertified\u201d pedophile.<\/p>\n \u201cA reasonable listener could not have concluded that \u2018Not Like Us\u2019 was conveying objective facts about Drake,\u201d U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled Thursday<\/a>.<\/p>\n The judge added: \u201cAlthough 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 \u2018Not Like Us\u2019 imparts verifiable facts about Plaintiff.\u201d<\/p>\n Drake, whose music is also on UMG\u2019s label, alleged in his lawsuit that UMG heavily promoted the track to seize on its popularity for profit, despite knowing about its false claims. Lamar was not named in the lawsuit.<\/p>\n In a statement shared with MSNBC and other outlets, UMG said: \u201cFrom the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day. We\u2019re pleased with the court\u2019s dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake\u2019s music and investing in his career.\u201d<\/p>\n Drake\u2019s representatives did not immediately respond to MSNBC\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n Lamar famously performed \u201cNot Like Us\u201d during the halftime show of this year\u2019s Super Bowl, which drew over 130 million viewers<\/a> and became the most-watched halftime show ever. The track also won several Grammys in February, including song of the year and record of the year.<\/p>\n