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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.