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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.