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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' 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 the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.