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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.