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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

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

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 competing artists.

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

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop 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 lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case 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 supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.