Judge Throws Out Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become 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, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.