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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.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding 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 are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.