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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track 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 wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims 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 public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.