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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"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," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.