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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language 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 paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.