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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact 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."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.