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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration 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 competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners 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 lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding 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, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.