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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

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

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting 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 continuing our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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