Judge Throws Out Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

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

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

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

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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 proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.