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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, 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, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines 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 clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

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