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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song 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 song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.