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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.