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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

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

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row 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 substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.