🔗 Share this article

A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.