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

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track 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 similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release 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 Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.