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A court official has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action 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 spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.