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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background 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 competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights 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' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake 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 lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics 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 lawsuit.

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

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

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

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

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.