Judge Throws Out Rapper Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show 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’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the case.