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A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge 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 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

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

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.