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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although 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 offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper 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 lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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