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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable 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 permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, 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, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas 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 exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.