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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle 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 online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

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

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although 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."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.