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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.