Court Throws Out Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, 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, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While 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 each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

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

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

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.