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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly 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 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.