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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song 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 record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

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

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.