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

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 track proposed.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

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 suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.