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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle 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 undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" 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 track suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics 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 lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.