A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.
Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.
Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".
Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.
Not Like Us, 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 Lamar's musical journey, 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, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".
"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.
"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."
She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.
On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.
"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 assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.
"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."
The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.
His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".
Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."
She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."
Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."
Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."
"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.
A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".
Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.
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