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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words 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 lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

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

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.