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A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, 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 resuming our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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