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A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about 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".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper 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 suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.