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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

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