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A judge has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context 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' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur 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," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

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

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even 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 expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.