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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

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 rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track 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 track proposed.

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

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.