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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake'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 work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row 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 focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator 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 average audience to believe that 'the track' 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 Taylor Made Freestyle, 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even 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 exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.