Judge Dismisses Drake's Lawsuit Regarding Kendrick Lamar's Diss Track

A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

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

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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 proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference 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 his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.