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A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 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 multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

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

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although 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 anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

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