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A court official has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 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 multiple Grammy awards 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’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"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 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 legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.