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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake 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 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 lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" 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".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

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

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.