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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won 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 infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference 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 lawsuit.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

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