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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.