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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

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