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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 rappers "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 court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, 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.

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

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

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.