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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated 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.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys 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 row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

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

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.