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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.