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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline 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 "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

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

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly 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 sue his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign 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 retaliation".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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