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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator 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 reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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 viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative 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 promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.