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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released 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 the rapper’s career, 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 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

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

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"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," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" 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 extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, 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 judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.