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A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper 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.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

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

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 similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.