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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights 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 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar 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."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative 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 marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative added.

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

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