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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s 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 Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become 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 detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle 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 judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies 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 lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, 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 spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children 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 open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.