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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation 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 challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist 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 win the rap battle.

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

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

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "a campaign to generate 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 resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.