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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies 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 lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.