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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys 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 row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated the court.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding 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 similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.