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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "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 focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator 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 average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.