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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about 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 focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice 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.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.