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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.