🔗 Share this article

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

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled 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 "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.