Court Dismisses Rapper Drake's Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss Track

A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

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

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied 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 initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies 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 assessed," stated the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", 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: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative 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 resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.