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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, 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' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

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

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.