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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

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

"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 parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning 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 other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.