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A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

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

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song 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 strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even 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 epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.