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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike 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 half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

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

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake 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 the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"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 evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"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 legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar 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 Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.