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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.