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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received five Grammys 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 rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

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

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.