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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.