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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed 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 decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"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 grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake 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 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing 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 legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although 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 audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.