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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged UMG 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 public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.