Court Dismisses Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Not Like Us

A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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 performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper 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 proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics 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 lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.