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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although 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 slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.