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A court official has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance 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 subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 song suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.