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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

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 moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

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

"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 parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate 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 resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric 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 Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.