Court Dismisses Drake's Legal Case Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

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

Drake filed the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

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