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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

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

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing 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 sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused 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 extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.