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

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

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 detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute 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 digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 track suggested.

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

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.