Say, Drake: Judge Dismisses Aubrey Graham vs. UMG Defamation Lawsuit

A New York federal judge has dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, the label representing both him and Kendrick Lamar. The lawsuit stemmed from Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” but the court ruled that the song’s lyrics were “nonactionable opinion,” effectively ending Drake’s case against his own label.

Drake Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed: Grounds of Decision

Hip-hop fans around the world witnessed one of the most major rap beefs in history last year. Thanks to the Internet. Everyone was able to follow the diss of this generation’s great rappers.

The case stemmed from Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which Drake claimed contained defamatory remarks.

The court ruled that the lyrics in question were “nonactionable opinion,” meaning they are protected under the First Amendment. This decision officially ends Drake’s legal move against his own record label, marking another development in the ongoing feud between the two rappers.

Why Drake Sued UMG Instead of Kendrick

Instead of suing Kendrick Lamar directly, Drake filed his case against Universal Music Group, the record label representing them both. Legal analysts noted that targeting UMG allowed Drake to hold the label responsible for distributing and monetizing the track. The move also avoided a direct artist-versus-artist legal battle, focusing instead on corporate accountability. By 2025, Drake took the conflict to court, filing a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over “Not Like Us.” The New York federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that Lamar’s lyrics were a “non-actionable opinion” and protected under free speech. Since the ruling, both artists have remained silent publicly, leaving fans to dissect every past line and post. The Drake–Lamar saga has reshaped modern rap rivalries, proving that lyrical feuds can still define careers in the streaming era.

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar’s Beef Timeline

Drake and Lamar’s feud has evolved into one of hip-hop’s most talked-about rivalries. What started as a lyrical competition turned into a full-blown clash marked by diss tracks, social media shade, and even legal action. Here’s how their tension unfolded over the years.

Early Tensions and Subtle Digs

The rivalry began in the early 2010s, with both rappers trading competitive bars in collaborations like “Control” and “The Language.” Though initially seen as friendly competition, their verses hinted at underlying rivalry and creative dominance.

The 2023 Resurgence

Things heated up again in 2023 after Lamar dropped a verse that fans widely believed targeted Drake. The subtle shots reignited debates online, setting the stage for a new era of lyrical warfare between the two icons.

J. Cole’s Apology and Exit

In April 2024, J. Cole responded with “7 Minute Drill,” a diss track aimed at Lamar — but the move was short-lived. Just days later, he publicly apologized during his Dreamville Fest performance, calling the diss “the lamest thing I ever did” and removing the song from streaming platforms. The gesture effectively pulled him out of the feud, leaving Drake and Lamar as the leading contenders.

“Not Like Us” Ignites the Fire

In 2024, Lamar released “Not Like Us,” a diss track that left little doubt about its target. The song’s direct jabs and clever wordplay captured global attention, dominating charts and memes while escalating the feud beyond music circles.

The Rap War: Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s Major Diss Tracks That Defined the Feud

The ongoing lyrical battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar became one of the most explosive moments in modern hip-hop. Each track wasn’t just a song — it was a statement, a counterattack, and a cultural event that kept fans glued to every drop. Here’s how each diss track intensified the feud and turned their rivalry into rap history.

“First Person Shooter” – Drake feat. J. Cole

The “Big Three” narrative didn’t start with “First Person Shooter.” Reportedly, it had circulated for years in hip-hop circles, referring to Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole as the defining leaders of their generation. Fans and critics used the term to frame debates about dominance, lyricism, and legacy throughout the 2010s. But the idea resurfaced powerfully on “First Person Shooter” from Drake’s 2023 album For All the Dogs, where J. Cole rapped, “Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K Dot, is it Aubrey, or me?” The friendly self-coronation revived old tensions and reignited long-simmering rivalries, setting the stage for what would become the most talked-about feud in modern rap history.

“Like That” – Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick detonated the tension with his verse on “Like That” from We Don’t Trust You (2024). Rejecting the “Big Three” label outright, he fired, “Motherf*** the big three, it’s just big me.” The line instantly turned Metro Boomin’s collaboration album into a cultural flashpoint and kicked off an avalanche of lyrical responses.

“7 Minute Drill” – J. Cole

J. Cole entered the conflict with “7 Minute Drill,” critiquing Kendrick’s discography and artistic legacy. The track was uploaded with the caption “Might delete later,” signaling his hesitation to engage in the feud fully. After fan backlash and self-reflection, he publicly apologized during Dreamville Fest 2024 on April 7 and removed the song from streaming platforms, leaving the lyrical crossfire to Drake and Kendrick.

“6:16 in LA” – Kendrick Lamar

On April 19, 2024, Lamar dropped “6:16 in LA,” a cold, surgical follow-up aimed directly at Drake. The track took a calmer yet sharper tone, accusing Drake’s OVO camp of internal disloyalty and manipulation. Its restrained delivery and strategic lyricism proved that Kendrick didn’t need aggression to dominate the exchange.

“Euphoria” – Kendrick Lamar

After the long silence, Kendrick answered on April 30, 2024, with “Euphoria,” a venomous six-minute takedown dissecting Drake’s persona, insecurities, and creative identity. Its shifting flows and precise delivery reminded everyone why Lamar remains one of hip-hop’s most commanding lyricists.

“Family Matters” – Drake

Drake struck back on May 3, 2024, with “Family Matters,” a deeply personal record filled with allegations about Kendrick’s family life and marriage. The track pushed the feud into darker territory, and many fans criticized Drake for crossing moral and creative boundaries.

“Meet the Grahams” – Kendrick Lamar

May 3, 2024, one hour later, after dropping “Family Matters,” Kendrick released “Meet the Grahams,” a chilling open letter directed at Drake and his family. Its eerie tone and methodical structure flipped Drake’s personal attacks back on him, marking one of the most devastating lyrical responses of the decade.

“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

On May 4, 2024, Kendrick dropped “Not Like Us,” the anthem that turned the feud into a global cultural moment. Fueled by DJ Mustard’s infectious production, sharp humor, and viral hooks, the song became both a victory lap and a chart-topping hit, cementing Kendrick’s dominance and closing out the most explosive rap beef in recent history.

“BBL Drizzy” – Metro Boomin

In May 2024, fans began remixing snippets of “BBL Drizzy,” mocking Drake’s rumored

cosmetic enhancements. Metro Boomin leaned into the trend and officially released the instrumental on May 5, 2024, encouraging artists to use it. What started as internet humor evolved into one of the most recognizable memes of the feud.

“The Heart Part 6” – Drake

On May 5, 2024, Drake attempted to reclaim control with “The Heart Part 6,” a direct answer to Kendrick’s barrage of disses. In the track, he denied Lamar’s accusations and referenced his controversial friendship with Millie Bobby Brown, which had resurfaced online amid the feud. The song aimed to close the chapter but was largely seen as defensive and anticlimactic, marking the unofficial end of Drake’s responses and solidifying Kendrick’s victory in the court of public opinion.