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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing 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 real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, 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 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

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