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

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice 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 lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged 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 suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.