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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

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

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording 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 lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.