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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal 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 Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics 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 direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.