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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration 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 ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, 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 plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper 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 song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.