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

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

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song 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 parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team 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 vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.