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A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "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 digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.