Court Throws Out Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Regarding Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights 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 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 extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, 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 the claimant."

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

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

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.