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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute 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 extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

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

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.