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

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "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 online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly 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 legal team accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.