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

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 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 career, having won 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, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

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 song proposed.

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims 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 hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.