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

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’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 detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice 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 song suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance 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, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

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

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.