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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about 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’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em 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'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.