Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12, 2025 in London, England. Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the defamation lawsuit Drake brought against his own record label, Universal Music Group, for publishing and promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “ Not Like Us .”

District Judge Jeannette Vargas concluded that the Grammy-winning song – where Lamar infamously claimed Drake was a “certified pedophile” – was an expression of pure opinion and not an assertion of facts. Therefore, Drake, who denied the allegation, couldn’t sue for defamation.

The ruling means Drake’s case against UMG is now over, though he can appeal the decision.

CNN has reached out to a Drake spokesperson for comment. Dra

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