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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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 the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "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 focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper 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 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 phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.