🔗 Share this article

A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track proposed.

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

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused 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 suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact 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, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.