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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

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

Drake submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording 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 Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.