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A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

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

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome 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 broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights 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 genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning the track in question, 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 other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

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