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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards 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 dispute 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 substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative 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 judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.