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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit 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, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 suggested.

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.