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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike 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 infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.