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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 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 musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about 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 history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject 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 wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" 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.

"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 evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.