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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 Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.