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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the track his own release, 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 assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label 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 court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.