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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged 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 Tupac Shakur 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 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

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

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.