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A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys 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 dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track proposed.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.