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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed 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 received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured 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 win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.