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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.