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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel 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'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested 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."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.