Kendrick Lamar dropped his most anticipated diss track of all time, “Not Like Us,” in 2024. This move has triggered one of the biggest music industry firestorms in years. The song, which directly targets fellow rapper Drake, has not only become a cultural phenomenon but won two prestigious Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Against this backdrop of bad blood homegrown rivalry, U.S. He threw out Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), which argued that “Not Like Us” had false and defamatory statements.
The song premiered at a particularly explosive time in their widely-covered feud. In just a few weeks, it has rocketed to become one of the largest songs of 2024 so far. Its lyrical content takes a lot of shots at Drake’s authenticity and calls him out for “colonizing” rap culture. It makes insinuations regarding Drake’s personal life, including a controversial line that states, “I hear you like ’em young.” This provocative language, combined with imagery in the song’s cover art—an aerial photo of Drake’s mansion marked with red place markers—has kept the public and fans buzzing.
The Legal Battle
Drake had claimed in the defence that the lyrics of “Not Like Us” mischaracterized him as a paedophile. It was this conviction that drove him to sue. He wanted UMG to pay him damages, arguing that the song’s content wasn’t just defamatory, but ruined his reputation. The case changed dramatically when Judge Jeannette A. Vargas weighed the arguments that had been presented.
In her ruling, Judge Vargas concluded that “Not Like Us” did not communicate verifiable facts about Drake. She noted that only an unreasonable listener would arrive at that conclusion. She noted that diss tracks are often hyperbolic. This approach is designed to demonize the challenger rather than to provide truthful, accurate statements.
“Lamar is rapping hyperbolic vituperations.” – Judge Jeannette A Vargas
She was aware that these were very serious charges in the song. To be sure, she noted that all of these claims need to be taken in the competitive frame of a rap battle.
“Although the accusation that the plaintiff is a paedophile 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 Not Like Us imparts verifiable facts about the plaintiff.” – Judge Jeannette A Vargas
The Impact on Culture and Music
“Not Like Us” has not only strutted its way to the top of the charts on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, but it’s left a major cultural imprint. Shortly after its release, it went on to become the most streamed song in the world on Apple Music. The Super Bowl halftime show featured it, which turned that event into the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show of all time. This fleeting moment had an outsized impact on making it America’s cultural landmark.
The anthem’s radical lyrics and star-studded performances stop audiences in their tracks. Consequently, this has sparked debates about the authenticity and ethics of the rap genre. Critics and devotees alike have ignited passionate discussions about the limits of free expression in art. Instead, they zero in on the hugely serious allegations that are brought to light in the lyrics.
Defending Artistic Expression
UMG stood resolutely by its decision to litigate against such a suit, claiming that it was an assault on creative expression in music. The company remarked that Drake’s lawsuit was unfounded from the outset and undermined the artistic liberties essential to rap and hip-hop culture.
“From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day.” – Universal Music Group
While great news for the industry, Drake’s lawsuit dismissal further cements the public perception of diss tracks. Rap battles reveal the rhetorical potential of hyperbole, using over-the-top assertions to rouse competing players. Clearly, these hyperbolic lines are there to excite viewers, not make accurate assertions.
