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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, 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 AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, 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 never should have seen the light of day."

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

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.