Judge Dismisses Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released 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 the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared 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 win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song 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 similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback 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 lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" 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 extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.