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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments 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 history of rap music".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared 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.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines 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 direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

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

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

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

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

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