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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

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

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake 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 evaluated," wrote the court.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.