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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show 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".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.