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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards 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 rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud 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 online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, 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 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 suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged 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 criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.