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

A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"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 suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.