🔗 Share this article

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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener 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 pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, 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 audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.