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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights 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' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim 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 exchanged by both participants, 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, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies 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 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding 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, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

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

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.