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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

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 become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, 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 song proposed.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "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 turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

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

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

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