US Court Dismisses Drake’s Lawsuit Against Kendrick Lamar Over ‘Not Like Us’

A U.S. federal judge in New York has dismissed rapper Drake’s lawsuit against fellow hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar over the hit track “Not Like Us.”

Drake had accused Lamar of defamation and emotional distress, claiming the diss track contained false and damaging statements about him. The song, released amid their high-profile rap feud, became one of Lamar’s most streamed and critically acclaimed hits of the year.

In her ruling, Judge Melissa Crane held that Lamar’s lyrics were protected under the First Amendment as artistic expression and commentary, stating that the court would not “police the boundaries of rap beefs.”

Following the judgment, representatives for both artists declined to comment. The case’s dismissal marks the latest development in one of the most talked-about rivalries in modern hip-hop history.