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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

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

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 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 performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

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, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.