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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as 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 performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud 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 court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged 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 previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured 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 win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

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