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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper 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.

"It is in this context 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 lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" 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 his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.