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

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline 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 his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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 assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance 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 seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.