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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, 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 focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.