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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

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