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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even 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 anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.