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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "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 substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper 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 song suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" 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 response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another 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: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.