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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

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 continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’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 38-page order, Judge Vargas 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 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

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

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice 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 suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track 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, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.