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

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

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 continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row 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 extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' 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 assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.