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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle 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 early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim 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 hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, 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 win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested 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, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.