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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager 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 decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track 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.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.