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A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting 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 crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper 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 suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.