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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates 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 Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in 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 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

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