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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.