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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards 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".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song 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 clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.