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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake 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 song suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.