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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied 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 first dropped in spring 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 career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.