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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply 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 musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although 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."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.