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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 track suggested.

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

"The similarity 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 Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

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