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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, 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 track suggested.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.