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A judge 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 Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "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 extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

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 song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.