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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

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

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track proposed.

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

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.