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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus 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 wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track 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 track suggested.

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

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

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