🔗 Share this article

A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "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 digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop 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' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 suggested.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

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