A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us.
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.
The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".
The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.
Not Like Us, 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 Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.
In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".
"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.
"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."
She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.
On the song 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 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 earlier release."
Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.
His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release 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".
Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."
She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."
Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."
Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."
"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.
A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".
Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.
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