🔗 Share this article

A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle 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 digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 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 phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric 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 sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.