Court Throws Out Rapper Drake's Legal Case Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us

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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards 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 row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts 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 Taylor Made Freestyle, 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 suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, 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 are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.