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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper 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 song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.