Judge Dismisses Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Canadian rapper Drake against his fellow artist Kendrick Lamar and their shared record label. Drake had sued for defamation and harassment, alleging that the label was unfairly promoting Lamar at his expense. The lawsuit stemmed from Lamar's 2013 song "Not Like Us," which Drake claimed was a direct attack on him. However, the judge ruled that the lyrics did not specifically target Drake and were protected by free speech. The record label, Top Dawg Entertainment, was also named in the lawsuit, with Drake accusing them of intentionally boosting Lamar's career to the detriment of his own. The judge dismissed this claim as well, finding no evidence of foul play or intentional sabotage. This ruling brings an end to the legal dispute between the two rappers, who have enjoyed a long-standing rivalry in the industry. The case highlights the competitive nature of the music business and the challenges artists can face in navigating their relationships with both peers and industry partners.