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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background 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 become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge 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 focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop 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 line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.