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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

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

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments 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 focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG 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're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

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