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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.