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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

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

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

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to create 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 audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

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

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists 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 resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.