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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, 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 subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival 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 track proposed.

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.