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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won 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 notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline 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 his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper 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 proposed.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim 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 listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.