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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar'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 detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, 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 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 wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" 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 retaliation".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.