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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row 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 online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 track proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

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

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.