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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "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 subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback 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 name his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.