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A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance 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".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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