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

A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar'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 February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even 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 listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to all artists 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 continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.