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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates 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 real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' 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 assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.