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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud 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 half-time show 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 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.