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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights 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 infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create 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 turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although 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 hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

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