Judge Dismisses Rapper Drake's Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake 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 track suggested.

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims 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 slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.