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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

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 rival rappers.

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

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

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.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song 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 suggests strongly that this line 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 sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.