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

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

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

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice 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 suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps 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 statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.