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

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit 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, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle 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 judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 track proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort 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 vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, 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 judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.