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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’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, Judge Vargas called the row 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 extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, 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 song suggested.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.