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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

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 notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, 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, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.