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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as 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 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute 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 substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

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

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.