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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff 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 additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists 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 resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.