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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

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

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.