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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud 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 moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "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 accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.