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A court official has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", 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 representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "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 substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, 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 Not Like Us.

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

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

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

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

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

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.