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A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

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

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.