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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line 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 Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

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