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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

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

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, 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 career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row 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 focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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.

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.