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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

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 become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"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 Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.