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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates 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 Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest 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 "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.