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

A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "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 substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, 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 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court 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 audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

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