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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

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, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.