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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake'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 musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas 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 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track 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 parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused UMG 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 suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested 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 his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

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

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.