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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background 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 the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"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 phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative added.

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

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.