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A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.