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

Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow 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 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 genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", 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, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.