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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row 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 court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing 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 name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "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 suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.